ἔνταλμα
éntalma
G1778 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An authoritative directive, decree, or mandate, especially one with legal or religious force; in specific contexts, a prescribed command, regulation, or injunction issued by a recognized authority. The core meaning is an official order, particularly within administrative, legal, or ritual frameworks. In Greco-Roman and Hellenistic Jewish usage, often denotes a formal precept or prescribed obligation, distinct from general instruction or broader law.
Semantic Range
prescribed command, injunction, official directive, legal or religious ordinance, formal decree, regulation
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἐντέλλομαι (entellomai), meaning 'to give an order, to command,' with the nominal suffix -μα, indicating the result of the action; thus, ἔνταλμα is 'that which is commanded' or an 'order.' Cognate with classical ἐντολή ('commandment, order'), but with a focus on the specific injunction or regulation itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἔνταλμα is relatively rare in classical Greek, mainly appearing in technical, administrative, or legal contexts for official decrees or regulations. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew מִצְוָה (mitsvah), denoting specific commandments or religious ordinances. In the New Testament (notably Mark 7:7), ἔνταλμα refers to humanly-instituted commandments, especially traditions or regulations imposed by religious authorities. The term differs from ἐντολή, which is the more general word for 'commandment' and often carries a broader ethical or moral sense in the NT. The English term 'commandment' may obscure the technical force of ἔνταλμα as a prescriptive regulation or legalistic precept, especially where the contrast is with divine law or more general instruction. Usage in Greek papyri reflects its administrative nuance (i.e., requisitions, regulations, official orders).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐντέλλομαι; an injunction, i.e. religious precept:--commandment.
Root Family
ἐντελ- (éntalma) — to command, to order, to prescribe
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1778-01 |
ἐντάλματα | entalmata | N ACC N PL |
commandments | authoritative directives | authoritative directives | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1778-01 |
Matthew 15:9 | ἐντάλματα | entalmata | N ACC N PL |
commandments | authoritative directives | authoritative directives |
G1778-01 |
Mark 7:7 | ἐντάλματα | entalmata | N ACC N PL |
commandments | authoritative directives | authoritative directives |
G1778-01 |
Colossians 2:22 | ἐντάλματα | entalmata | N ACC N PL |
commandments | authoritative directives | authoritative directives |