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ξύλον

xýlon

G3586 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Wood as the substance derived from trees, especially in its natural, unprocessed state; also, an object made of wood, such as a wooden beam or plank. In different contexts, denotes a tree (emphasizing its material), a piece/splinter of wood, a post or pole, or an instrument made from wood such as a staff, club, or stocks (restraint device). In figurative or judicial uses, can refer to a wooden cross (as an execution device).

Semantic Range

wood, timber, tree (as substance), wooden object, staff, club, pole, stake, stocks (device for restraint), judicial cross or execution stake

Root / Etymology

From the root ξυλ-, the standard ancient Greek word for 'wood'. Possibly connected distantly to the stem underlying ξέστης, but this is debated. The root is found throughout the Greek dialects and has no clear non-Greek cognates. Semantically related to δένδρον (tree), but with a focus on the material or objects made from wood.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, ξύλον is a general term for wood or timber, distinct from δένδρον (tree, with focus on the living plant) and ὕλη (material, raw matter, sometimes used for 'wood' in philosophy). In the Septuagint (LXX), used prominently to translate Hebrew עֵץ (ʿēṣ), covering both living trees and objects of wood, including idols or implements. In New Testament usage, ξύλον often refers to an execution stake or cross, as in Acts 5:30 and Galatians 3:13, reflecting both Greco-Roman judicial language (the wood for crucifixion or impalement) and midrashic connection with Deuteronomy 21:23. Elsewhere, can mean a staff (Rev 2:27; LXX Ps 2:9) or an instrument of punishment (stocks, as in Acts 16:24). English translations vary: sometimes 'tree', 'wood', 'cross', or 'stocks', depending on context, but this often obscures the broader Greek sense centered on the material or generic wooden objects. The term does not inherently imply a constructed cross form; the judicial/penal sense depends on context.

Translation Consistency

primary "wood" 12 occurrences

'Wood' is the most natural, frequent, and broadly covering English equivalent for ξύλον: it denotes the substance (timber) and by extension wooden objects (beams, stakes, clubs, crosses). It matches the typical usage in the SILEX range and is more natural than more specific alternatives like 'tree' or 'timber.'

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"clubs" (4x) "tree" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from another form of the base of ξέστης; timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance:--staff, stocks, tree, wood.

Root Family

ξύλον (xylon) — wood, timber, tree (as material)

Root ξυλ- wood, timber, tree (as material)

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3586-03 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods clubs 10
G3586-04 ξύλου xulou N GEN N SG tree of wood wood 8
G3586-01 ξύλα xula N ACC N PL wood pieces of wood pieces of wood 1
G3586-02 ξύλῳ xulo N DAT N SG tree to wood wood 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3586-03 Matthew 26:47 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods clubs
G3586-03 Matthew 26:55 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods clubs
G3586-03 Mark 14:43 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods clubs
G3586-03 Mark 14:48 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods clubs
G3586-03 Luke 22:52 ξύλων xulon N GEN N PL clubs of woods of woods
G3586-02 Luke 23:31 ξύλῳ xulo N DAT N SG tree to wood wood
G3586-04 Acts 5:30 ξύλου xulou N GEN N SG a tree of wood a tree
G3586-04 Acts 10:39 ξύλου xulou N GEN N SG a tree of wood wood
G3586-04 Acts 13:29 ξύλου xulou N GEN N SG tree of wood wood
G3586-03 Acts 16:24 ξύλον xulon N ACC N SG stocks of woods of woods
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