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σινδών

sindṓn

G4616 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A piece of fine, lightweight linen cloth; particularly a garment or shroud made of high-quality linen. In specific contexts, refers to a linen sheet used for wrapping a body (especially for burial), or as a light garment worn next to the skin. The term usually denotes linen of notable purity and delicacy.

Semantic Range

fine linen cloth, garment of fine linen, linen wrapping or sheet (often for burial), fabric of high quality, bed covering, shroud

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain. Possibly borrowed from Semitic languages (cf. Hebrew סַדִּין [saddîn], 'linen cloth/sheet'). Not directly derived from an obvious Greek root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Σινδών appears in classical Greek mainly to describe a thin, fine linen cloth or garment, valued for its quality and softness. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it came to denote a linen sheet used both for practical purposes (bed coverings, garments) and specifically as a burial shroud. In the New Testament (e.g., the Gospels), σινδών refers specifically to the linen cloth used for burial, as in the wrapping of Jesus' body. The term is relatively rare in classical sources, more common in medical and documentary papyri, reflecting contexts of luxury, ritual, or funerary practice. In the Septuagint, it is used to render Hebrew terms for fine linen, but not always with rigid consistency, sometimes overlapping with βύσσος. Translation traditions frequently render the word as "fine linen" or "linen cloth," but these can fail to convey the associations with luxury, purity, or ritual functions. The English term 'fine linen' is traditionally used but may not indicate the funerary or special status often associated with σινδών in ancient usage. The foreign (likely Semitic) origin of the term may indicate that the type of linen was an imported luxury product, distinguished from common fabrics in the ancient Mediterranean.

Translation Consistency

primary "linen" 6 occurrences

σινδών consistently denotes fine linen cloth or a garment/shroud made of linen. The single, natural English noun “linen” covers the material, garments, sheets, and burial shrouds in ordinary translation practice and will read naturally in all contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain (perhaps foreign) origin; byssos, i.e. bleached linen (the cloth or a garment of it):--(fine) linen (cloth).

Root Family

σινδών (sindōn) — linen cloth, fine fabric, shroud, garment

Root uncertain linen cloth, fine fabric, shroud, garment

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4616-02 σινδόνι sindoni N DAT F SG linen cloth in a fine linen cloth in a fine linen cloth 3
G4616-01 σινδόνα sindona N ACC F SG linen cloth fine linen cloth a fine linen cloth 3

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4616-02 Matthew 27:59 σινδόνι sindoni N DAT F SG linen cloth in a fine linen cloth in a fine linen cloth
G4616-01 Mark 14:51 σινδόνα sindona N ACC F SG linen cloth fine linen cloth a fine linen cloth
G4616-01 Mark 14:52 σινδόνα sindona N ACC F SG linen cloth fine linen cloth a fine linen cloth
G4616-01 Mark 15:46 σινδόνα sindona N ACC F SG a linen cloth fine linen cloth a fine linen cloth
G4616-02 Mark 15:46 σινδόνι sindoni N DAT F SG linen cloth in a fine linen cloth fine linen cloth
G4616-02 Luke 23:53 σινδόνι sindoni N DAT F SG in linen in a fine linen cloth in a fine linen cloth
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