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νιπτήρ

niptḗr

G3537 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A vessel or basin used for washing, particularly for the hands. In literary and biblical contexts, refers specifically to a container intended for ceremonial or practical washing; typically denotes a dish, bowl, or basin for water set aside for washing purposes. In some contexts, may refer to a ewer (a jug or pitcher) but most commonly indicates the receptacle itself in which hands or feet are washed.

Semantic Range

washing-basin, water basin, vessel for washing hands or feet, ewer; instrument for washing in ritual or domestic contexts

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb νίπτω (to wash, especially hands or feet), with the suffix -ήρ indicating an instrument or thing associated with the verb's action. Thus, νιπτήρ means 'something used in washing.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in post-classical and Koine Greek, especially in contexts involving ritual or customary washing (such as meals or religious acts). In the New Testament (John 13:5), νιπτήρ refers to the basin used by Jesus in the foot-washing narrative—a particular act laden with symbolic and ritual significance in Second Temple period Judean society. The term is rare outside biblical or related Jewish-Greek literature and does not appear widely in classical sources, indicating its emergence or specialized use in later Greek. English Bible translations often render νιπτήρ as 'basin' or 'water basin,' but the term may also be understood as referencing the specific vessel reserved for the act of washing rather than for general liquid storage. The related verb νίπτω is common and denotes the action of washing or cleaning, especially of extremities (hands, feet).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from νίπτω; a ewer:--bason.

Root Family

νιπτ- (niptḗr) — to wash, cleanse

Root νιπτ- to wash, cleanse
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G449 ἄνιπτος to ritually unwashed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3537-01 νιπτῆρα niptera N ACC M SG basin washing basin washing basin 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3537-01 John 13:5 νιπτῆρα niptera N ACC M SG basin washing basin washing basin
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