Ἐμμαούς

Emmaoús

G1695 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Emmaus — a village whose name identifies a specific location; used singularly as a proper place name in ancient sources. In the New Testament context, Emmaus refers to a village mentioned as being sixty stadia from Jerusalem, noted as the destination of two disciples after the crucifixion.

Semantic Range

Emmaus (the specific village near Jerusalem), possible allusion to a site characterized by springs or water; as a toponym, does not convey meaning beyond identification as a place name.

Root / Etymology

From Hebrew origin, possibly from the root חַמָּה (ḥammāh, 'warm spring') or יַמָּה (yam, 'sea, lake'), though the association is uncertain. The name may have originally referred to a place characterized by warm springs. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἐμμαούς appears only in Luke 24:13 (NT) as the name of the destination village for two disciples. Its mention reflects the Hellenized form of a Semitic place name. In the Greco-Roman and Second Temple period, various locations in the region held similar names, but the precise identification of the Emmaus in Luke remains debated (suggested modern candidates: ʿImwas, or sites further west or north of Jerusalem). The Greek rendering preserves the Semitic character of the name without translation. In subsequent Christian tradition, 'Emmaus' became significant for the narrative of the resurrected appearance. English translations use 'Emmaus' as a transliteration rather than a translation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of Hebrew origin (compare יֵם); Emmaus, a place in Palestine:--Emmaus.

Root Family

Ἐμμαούς (Emmaous) — place name, village

Root Ἐμμαούς (from Hebrew root uncertain; possible ḥmm or ym) place name, village

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1695-01 Ἐμμαοῦς emmaous N NOM F SG Emmaus Emmaus Emmaous 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1695-01 Luke 24:13 Ἐμμαοῦς emmaous N NOM F SG Emmaus Emmaus Emmaous