κορβᾶν
korbân
G2878 Hebrew loanword
SILEX Entry
Definition
A consecrated gift or offering dedicated for sacred use, especially within the context of the Temple; by metonymy, the collection or treasury into which such offerings were placed. The term primarily refers to something set apart as an offering to God—especially funds or valuables devoted to the Temple—with extension to denote either the act of offering or the physical treasury itself.
Semantic Range
dedicated offering, gift consecrated to the sanctuary, votive gift, the act of making an offering, the Temple treasury or collect boxes, funds or items set apart as sacred
Root / Etymology
Borrowed into Greek from Hebrew קָרְבָּן (qorbān), meaning 'offering' or 'gift dedicated to God.' Septuagint usage reflects the Aramaic and post-exilic Hebrew pronunciation. The Greek form κορβᾶν (korbân) is a transliteration rather than a derivation via a Greek linguistic process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κορβᾶν is a transliteration of the Hebrew/Aramaic term קָרְבָּן, which in Israelite priestly tradition referred broadly to offerings, especially those set apart for sacred purposes (see Leviticus). In post-biblical and Second Temple Jewish usage, particularly within Judean society, it designated an offering or vow-gift that was consecrated for Temple use, sometimes rendering the item inalienable (see Mark 7:11; Josephus, Antiquities). In the New Testament (Mark 7:11; cf. Matthew 27:6 using κορβανᾶς), the word referred both to the offering itself and by extension to the Temple treasury or funds accumulated from such gifts. This dual meaning (gift/treasury) is paralleled in rabbinic literature. English Bible translations sometimes use the untranslated term 'Corban' or render it as 'gift' or 'offering'; however, 'Corban' as a technical term is not widely used outside the Judean cultic context and its nuances can be lost in translation. The concept is distinct from other Greek terms for gifts or offerings, such as δῶρον (dōron), which lacks the sense of formal consecration and binding vow attached to κορβᾶν.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew and Chaldee origin respectively (קׇרְבָּן); a votive offering and the offering; a consecrated present (to the Temple fund); by extension (the latter term) the Treasury itself, i.e. the room where the contribution boxes stood:--Corban, treasury.
Root Family
κορβ- (korbân) — to bring near, to offer, to dedicate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2878-01 |
κορβᾶν | korban | TF |
Corban | dedicated offering | corban | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2878-01 |
Mark 7:11 | κορβᾶν | korban | TF |
Corban | dedicated offering | corban |