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Γολγοθᾶ

Golgothâ

G1115 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A place-name referring to the site, outside Jerusalem, identified as the location of executions by crucifixion, especially the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Primary sense: place of the skull (either referencing the physical appearance of the site, its use as an execution ground, or related symbolic resonance). The term denotes a specific locality with connotations of death and public execution.

Semantic Range

name of a location outside Jerusalem, Golgotha; place of execution; metaphorically, the site of crucifixion

Root / Etymology

Of Aramaic origin, from גֻּלְגֹּלֶת (gulgōleth, 'skull') in Hebrew/Aramaic, Hellenized with the Greek nominative ending -ᾶ. The Greek form Γολγοθᾶ reflects transliteration more than translation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Γολγοθᾶ appears exclusively in the Gospels (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17) referring to the site of Jesus' crucifixion, outside the city walls of Jerusalem. The Greek text notes its translation as Κρανίου Τόπος ('Place of a Skull'), creating a doublet for non-Semitic readers. In Syriac and Aramaic sources, the term likewise connotes 'skull.' Usage in the New Testament does not locate this site according to modern archaeological categories. Later tradition and English Bibles, following the Latin transliteration 'Calvaria', often render it as 'Calvary,' but this is not an original Greek meaning. There is no evidence Γολγοθᾶ itself ever referred to an individual skull or served as a generic noun in Greek; it is consistently a proper noun for the location. The name's origin (whether after the shape of the site, its function, or legendary attributions) remains a matter of historical and scholarly debate; the Gospels' citation of the meaning suggests the site may have had a known local association with 'skull.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Chaldee origin (compare גֻּלְגֹּלֶת); the skull; Golgotha, a knoll near Jerusalem:--Golgotha.

Root Family

Γολγοθᾶ (Golgotha) — skull, head, place associated with the skull

Root Γολγοθ- skull, head, place associated with the skull

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1115-01 Γολγοθᾶ golgotha N ACC F SG Golgotha Skull-Place Golgotha 2
G1115-02 Γολγοθᾶν golgothan N ACC F SG Golgotha Skull-Place Golgotha 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1115-01 Matthew 27:33 Γολγοθᾶ golgotha N ACC F SG Golgotha Skull-Place Golgotha
G1115-02 Mark 15:22 Γολγοθᾶν golgothan N ACC F SG Golgotha Skull-Place Golgotha
G1115-01 John 19:17 Γολγοθᾶ golgotha N NOM F SG Golgotha Skull-Place Golgotha
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