παρασκευή
paraskeuḗ
G3904 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The act or process of preparing or making ready; in broader usage, refers to the state of being prepared, an arrangement or provision made in advance. In specific Second Temple and New Testament contexts, it often designates the day before the Sabbath (i.e., Friday), when preparations were made for the Sabbath observance. Also used in general Greek for preparations or arrangements for an event, journey, or task.
Semantic Range
preparation, provisioning, state of readiness; the day of preparation before the Sabbath (Friday); arrangement or readiness for an event; logistical or practical preparations
Root / Etymology
From the verb παρασκευάζω (to prepare, make ready), itself derived from παρα- ('beside, by, alongside') and σκευή ('equipment, gear, implements'), thus conveying the sense of 'providing what is needed alongside.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, παρασκευή primarily denotes general preparation or readiness, frequently relating to military, civic, or domestic contexts (preparing for war, festivals, journeys). By the Hellenistic period, the term acquires a more technical sense among Judeans, referring specifically to the 'Preparation Day,' meaning the day before the Sabbath (i.e., Friday), when work was undertaken to ready food and complete necessary tasks ahead of the Sabbath prohibition of labor. In the New Testament and related literature, παρασκευή most often signifies this specific day, a meaning echoed in the Septuagint and other Second Temple Jewish sources. The English phrase 'the Preparation' in many Bible translations is a calque of this specific sense but should be understood as both a calendrical and a cultural-religious term, not merely 'preparation' in the generic English sense. The term is also attested in wider Greek usage for logistical or organizational processes. Related concepts include κατασκευή (establishment, founding) and σκευή (equipment, gear), but παρασκευή emphasizes the act of getting ready.
Translation Consistency
παρασκευή is most often used as the noun 'preparation' (including the specific NT sense 'the day of Preparation' = Friday). 'Preparation' is natural English, covers the act/state/arrangement senses in SILEX, and fits the common, typical usage across contexts better than a more formal or rare alternative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
as if from παρασκευάζω; readiness:--preparation.
Root Family
σκευ- (from σκευή) (paraskeuḗ) — to prepare, to make ready
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3904-01 |
παρασκευή | paraskeue | N NOM F SG |
Preparation | preparation | preparation | 3 |
G3904-02 |
παρασκευήν | paraskeuen | N ACC F SG |
preparation | preparation | preparation | 2 |
G3904-03 |
παρασκευῆς | paraskeues | N GEN F SG |
of preparation | of preparation | of preparation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3904-02 |
Matthew 27:62 | παρασκευήν | paraskeuen | N ACC F SG |
Preparation | preparation | preparation |
G3904-01 |
Mark 15:42 | παρασκευή | paraskeue | N NOM F SG |
Preparation | preparation | preparation |
G3904-03 |
Luke 23:54 | παρασκευῆς | paraskeues | N GEN F SG |
of preparation | of preparation | of preparation |
G3904-01 |
John 19:14 | παρασκευὴ | paraskeue | N NOM F SG |
Preparation | preparation | preparation |
G3904-01 |
John 19:31 | παρασκευὴ | paraskeue | N NOM F SG |
Preparation | preparation | preparation |
G3904-02 |
John 19:42 | παρασκευὴν | paraskeuen | N ACC F SG |
preparation | preparation | preparation |