θυμιάω
thymiáō
G2370 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To burn incense, to offer fragrant smoke as a ritual or cultic act; especially to produce aromatic fumes by burning aromatic substances, often in a sacred or religious context. In religious settings, used specifically of the ceremonial act of offering incense as part of sacrificial or worship practices.
Semantic Range
to burn incense ritually, to offer aromatic fumes or smoke (as an act of worship or purification), to fumigate or perfume by burning aromatic substances, to make a cultic offering by fragrant smoke
Root / Etymology
From the root θυμ- (related to smoke, spirit, or fragrant vapor), specifically from a derivative of θύω ('to offer by burning' or 'to sacrifice by fire'), with a verbal ending forming an action denoting making smoke (fumigation, incense offering). Related to θυμίαμα (incense, aromatic substance for burning).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θυμιάω means to produce smoke (especially aromatic) by burning, often as an act associated with purification or religious ritual. Over time, particularly in Hellenistic and Koine usage, it came to refer specifically to the act of burning incense as a formal component of worship, both public and private, in Greek and surrounding cultures. In the Septuagint and New Testament, θυμιάω is largely employed in cultic or ritual contexts, designating the prescribed act of offering incense in the temple or sanctuary, especially as described in the Torah regarding Israelite religious practice. The semantic focus is more on the ritual activity than on possession or trade of incense. The act may be performed by designated religious officials (e.g., priests). This word differs from θύω, which focuses on animal sacrifice or burnt offerings—the central means being the act of slaughtering and presenting animals to a deity. In contrast, θυμιάω is specifically about the burning of aromatic substances (non-animal), highlighting the sensory aspect (smoke, fragrance) intended to please, honor, or approach a deity. Standard English translations as 'burn incense' are accurate in most liturgical contexts, but the nuance of ritual fumigation, purification, or offering of fragrant smoke should be recognized, especially where the function is linked to religious communication or mediation, not simply as a form of personal or domestic scenting. There are also non-religious uses in antiquity for fumigation or purification, though these are rare in biblical texts. Notably, in Jewish-Hellenistic and early Christian literature, θυμιάω rarely extends to the figurative or spiritualized meanings that appear later (e.g., 'prayer as incense').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of θύω (in the sense of smoking); to fumigate, i.e. offer aromatic fumes:--burn incense.
Root Family
θυμιάω (thymiaō) — to smoke, to burn incense, to fumigate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2370-01 |
θυμιᾶσαι | thumiasai | V AOR ACT INF |
burn incense | to burn incense | burn incense | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2370-01 |
Luke 1:9 | θυμιᾶσαι | thumiasai | V AOR ACT INF |
burn incense | to burn incense | burn incense |