ταφή (G5027) — Greek Lexicon

ταφή

taphḗ

G5027 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act or process of burial; specifically, the interment of a body after death. Refers both to the act of depositing the body in a tomb or grave and, by extension, to the event or occasion of burial. The term is used both literally for the act of burying a corpse and, in certain contexts, may refer to the rites or customs associated with burial.

Semantic Range

burial, act of burying, interment, funerary rites, event of burial

Root / Etymology

From the verb θάπτω (to bury); the noun ταφή is a feminine formation based on the root, denoting the action or result of burying. Cognate with words for grave or tomb (e.g., τάφος) sharing the same root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ταφή consistently denotes the act or event of burial in Koine Greek, especially in the context of funerary practices in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In classical Greek, burial was an important ritual act, and ταφή usually referred to the proper interment according to societal or religious norms. In the Septuagint (LXX), ταφή translates Hebrew terms referring to burial, often capturing both the literal act and the accompanying rituals. In the New Testament, ταφή is used for the burial of Jesus (e.g., Matt 26:12; 27:7) and does not by itself convey theological implication, but rather describes the historical or ritual act. English translations often render ταφή as 'burial,' but the term encompasses both the event and its ritual associations, which may not be explicit in translation. The noun is distinct from τάφος ('tomb' or 'grave'), focusing on the process rather than the location.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine from θάπτω; burial (the act):--X bury.

Root Family

ταφή (taphē) — burial, interment, act of burying

Root ταφ- to bury, inter

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5027-01`	ταφὴν	taphen	`N ACC F SG`	burial	burial	burial	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5027-01`	Matthew 27:7	ταφὴν	taphen	`N ACC F SG`	burial	burial	burial

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