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γλωσσόκομον

glōssókomon

G1101 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A container for holding valuables; specifically, a receptacle or box for keeping money or precious items. In some contexts, used for a small chest, casket, or purse used to store or carry monetary funds, with possible specialized uses such as for musical instrument mouthpieces in Hellenistic contexts. The primary sense in later Greek and the New Testament period is a money box or purse, especially as carried by a group for communal funds.

Semantic Range

box for instrument mouthpieces, receptacle or casket, money box, purse, communal funds container

Root / Etymology

From γλῶσσα (tongue) and κομέω (to tend), originally understood as 'case for tongue-pieces' (i.e., mouthpieces of wind instruments), later extending to 'container' or 'money box.' Not etymologically related to κόσμος; the derivation 'from the base of κόσμος' is likely a misunderstanding.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, γλωσσόκομον appears primarily in reference to a container or case for the reeds or mouthpieces (γλῶσσα) of wind instruments. By the time of Koine and the New Testament, the term is used (John 12:6; 13:29) for the money box or communal purse carried by the disciples, managed by Judas Iscariot. The semantic shift from ‘mouthpiece case’ to ‘money box’ occurs in post-classical times, and by the time of the New Testament, its use for 'money box' had become primary. English translations as 'bag' or 'purse' reflect this later usage, but may miss the original sense of a handled box or casket. The term is semantically similar to 'θυλάκιον' (small bag, pouch) but differs in denoting a solid, box-like container rather than a soft pouch. The Septuagint uses other terms (e.g., θύλακος) for purses or bags, so γλωσσόκομον is rare outside Hellenistic and early Christian settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from γλῶσσα and the base of κόσμος; properly, a case (to keep mouthpieces of wind-instruments in) i.e. (by extension) a casket or (specially) purse:--bag.

Root Family

γλωσσόκομον (glōssokomon) — tongue-case, container, money box, purse

Root γλωσσ- tongue, speech, case, container

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1101-01 γλωσσόκομον glossokomon N ACC N SG moneybag money box money box 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1101-01 John 12:6 γλωσσόκομον glossokomon N ACC N SG moneybag money box money box
G1101-01 John 13:29 γλωσσόκομον glossokomon N ACC N SG moneybag money box money box
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