βαΐον
baḯon
G902 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small palm branch or palm frond; specifically, a young or tender offshoot of the date palm. In New Testament usage, refers particularly to individual palm branches used by crowds in displays of honor or festivity. The word emphasizes the modest size and delicacy of the offshoot, in contrast to larger branches. Occasionally used more generally for a leafy branch, but in primary sources, almost always refers to palm leaves.
Semantic Range
small palm branch, palm frond, offshoot of a palm tree, decorative palm leaf
Root / Etymology
Diminutive formation from βᾶις (palm branch), itself from the base of βάσις (step, footing), but in this context related to βᾶις in the sense of the palm of the hand or palm tree. The formation βαΐον denotes a smaller or younger shoot of that tree.
Historical & Contextual Notes
βαΐον appears chiefly in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, first attested in technical botanical and later popular contexts. In the New Testament (notably John 12:13), it is used for the palm fronds waved by crowds during the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an act tied to ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean practices of celebrating victors or dignitaries, well-attested in Greco-Roman festivals and festivals like Sukkot in Israelite tradition. The English "branch" in translations tends to obscure the specific association with the palm tree. While LXX does not use βαΐον, it appears in other Koine sources to describe small palm offshoots. βαΐον is more specific than κλάδος (generic branch) or φοινικίς (date-palm), concentrating on the diminutive and tactile aspect. The use in the New Testament is both literal and culturally charged, reflecting contemporary festival customs rather than any exclusive religious symbolism.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a diminutive of a derivative probably of the base of βάσις; a palm twig (as going out far):--branch.
Root Family
βαΐον (baion) — palm branch, palm frond, offshoot
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G902-01 |
βαΐα | baia | N ACC N PL |
branches | small palm fronds | small palm fronds | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G902-01 |
John 12:13 | βαΐα | baia | N ACC N PL |
branches | small palm fronds | small palm fronds |