from ἐλαία; an olive-orchard, i.e. (specially) the Mount of Olives:--Olivet.
Transliteration:elaiṓn
Pronunciation:el-ah-yone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἐλαιών (*elaiṓn*, `{{G1638}}`) is derived from ἐλαία (*elaia*, `{{G1636}}`), meaning "olive tree" or "olive." The suffix "-ών" typically denotes a place characterized by or abounding in the root noun. Thus, *elaiṓn* fundamentally signifies an "olive grove" or "olive orchard." In its specific biblical usage, particularly within the New Testament, it refers almost exclusively to the well-known geographical landmark near Jerusalem, "the Mount of Olives." This specialized meaning is crucial for understanding its contextual significance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the concept of the "Mount of Olives" pervades the Gospels and Acts, the specific Greek lemma *elaiṓn* (`{{G1638}}`) appears explicitly in its genitive form (ἐλαιῶνος) in only one New Testament passage: [[Acts 1:12]]. Here, it is identified as "the mount called Olivet" (ὄρους τοῦ καλουμένου ἐλαιῶνος), serving as the precise location from which Jesus ascended into heaven. The text notes its proximity to Jerusalem, "a Sabbath day's journey away," emphasizing its physical reality and accessibility.
Other passages that refer to the "Mount of Olives" (e.g., [[Matthew 21:1]], [[Matthew 24:3]], [[Matthew 26:30]]; [[Mark 11:1]], [[Mark 13:3]]; [[Luke 19:29]], [[Luke 21:37]], [[Luke 22:39]]; [[John 8:1]]) typically use the Greek phrase ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν (*oros tōn elaiōn*), which means "mount of the olives" (literally, "mountain of the olive trees," using the genitive plural of `{{G1636}}`). Although grammatically distinct from the single word *elaiṓn*, these references nonetheless point to the same significant location and contribute to the collective understanding of the "Mount of Olives" as denoted by `{{G1638}}`. The singular use of *elaiṓn* in [[Acts 1:12]] thus serves as a definitive naming of this iconic site, marking it as the culmination point of Christ's earthly ministry before His return.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to `{{G1636}}` (ἐλαία, *elaia*), the "olive tree" itself, which is the foundational element for the name "Mount of Olives." This connection highlights the geographical feature's natural abundance of olive trees.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent for the Mount of Olives is הַר הַזֵּיתִים (*Har ha-Zeitim*, `{{H2022}}`), found in passages such as [[2 Samuel 15:30]] and [[Zechariah 14:4]]. This demonstrates a consistent identification of the location across testaments and underscores its long-standing significance in Israelite history and prophecy.
Conceptually, the Mount of Olives is intimately linked with the Garden of Gethsemane (Γεθσημανῆ), an "oil press" located on its slopes. Gethsemane is the poignant site of Jesus' profound agony and prayer before His arrest, making it a place of immense spiritual weight. The city of Jerusalem, which the Mount of Olives overlooks, is also inextricably tied to its significance, as the Mount served as a frequent route for entering and exiting the holy city.
### Theological Significance
The Mount of Olives holds profound theological significance, serving as a nexus for key events in salvation history and eschatological prophecy:
1. **Site of Prophetic Utterance:** From the Mount of Olives, Jesus delivered His Olivet Discourse ([[Matthew 24:3]], [[Mark 13:3]]), a foundational teaching on the signs of the end times, the destruction of the temple, and His second coming. This establishes the Mount as a place of crucial prophetic revelation.
2. **Place of Agony and Submission:** The Garden of Gethsemane, situated on the Mount, was the scene of Jesus' intense prayer and struggle before His crucifixion ([[Matthew 26:36-46]]). Here, He wrestled with the Father's will, demonstrating perfect obedience even unto death, thereby imbuing the location with the weight of His suffering and redemptive purpose.
3. **Point of Departure and Promised Return:** Most notably, the Mount of Olives is the site of Christ's ascension into heaven ([[Acts 1:9-12]]). This event is not merely a departure but a promise of return, as angels declared, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" ([[Acts 1:11]]). This directly connects the ascension to the Old Testament prophecy in [[Zechariah 14:4]], which foretells the Lord's feet standing on the Mount of Olives at His second advent, splitting the mountain. Thus, the Mount of Olives is uniquely identified as both the place of Christ's departure and His promised glorious return.
4. **Place of Retreat and Teaching:** Jesus frequently retreated to the Mount of Olives for prayer and rest ([[Luke 21:37]], [[John 8:1]]), highlighting its role as a quiet, sacred space for communion with God and instruction of His disciples.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐλαιών (*elaiṓn*, `{{G1638}}`) primarily designates the "Mount of Olives," a geographical feature of immense biblical and theological importance. While its direct lemma form appears explicitly in [[Acts 1:12]] as the site of Christ's ascension, the concept of the "Mount of Olives" is pervasive throughout the Gospels, often using a related Greek construction. This sacred location served as a frequent retreat for Jesus, the setting for His profound agony in Gethsemane, the origin of His eschatological teachings in the Olivet Discourse, and, most significantly, the very place from which He ascended into heaven and to which He is prophesied to return. Thus, *elaiṓn* encapsulates a pivotal site in salvation history, connecting past events with future hope, and embodying themes of prophecy, suffering, divine power, and ultimate redemption.
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