from ἐνταφιάζω; preparation for interment:--burying.
Transliteration:entaphiasmós
Pronunciation:en-taf-ee-as-mos'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G1780 (entaphiasmós) is derived from the verb ἐνταφιάζω (entaphiazō - `{{G1779}}`), which means "to prepare for burial," "to embalm," or "to entomb." This verb itself is a compound of ἐν (en - "in") and τάφος (taphos - "tomb" or "burial"). Therefore, entaphiasmós specifically refers to the *act* or *process* of readying a deceased body for interment. This includes the various customary rituals such as washing, anointing with oils or perfumes, and wrapping in grave cloths. It is distinct from the act of burial itself, focusing solely on the preparatory stages. The word inherently conveys a sense of solemnity, respect, and the careful finality associated with death in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term entaphiasmós appears exclusively in the Gospel of John, occurring twice, both times in direct relation to the burial of Jesus:
* [[John 12:7]]: In response to Judas Iscariot's complaint about Mary's extravagant anointing of His feet with costly perfume, Jesus declares, "Let her alone: against the day of my burying (entaphiasmós) hath she kept this." Here, Jesus interprets Mary's act of devotion as a prophetic pre-anointing for His impending death and burial preparation. This highlights Jesus' foreknowledge of His suffering and death, and His acceptance of this act as a fitting tribute to His unique destiny. It elevates a seemingly ordinary act of hospitality to one of profound theological significance, marking it as part of the divine plan for His entaphiasmós.
* [[John 19:40]]: Describing the immediate post-crucifixion events, the text states, "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is for burying (entaphiasmós)." This verse provides a concrete description of the entaphiasmós performed by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. It details the use of linen cloths and a mixture of myrrh and aloes ([[John 19:39]]), which were expensive aromatic resins used to honor the dead and mitigate decay. The phrase "as the manner of the Jews" underscores the adherence to customary Jewish burial practices, even under the urgent circumstances of the approaching Sabbath. This meticulous preparation, despite the haste, affirms the reality of Jesus' death and the solemn respect accorded to His body.
In both contexts, entaphiasmós is intimately linked to the unique circumstances of Jesus' death and burial, emphasizing both its prophetic significance and its historical reality.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding entaphiasmós is enhanced by examining related terms and practices:
* **Verbs of Burial:**
* ἐνταφιάζω (entaphiazō - `{{G1779}}`): The verbal root meaning "to prepare for burial," seen in [[Matthew 26:12]] and [[Mark 14:8]] concerning Mary's anointing.
* θάπτω (thaptō - `{{G2290}}`): A more general verb meaning "to bury" or "to inter," referring to the act of placing the body in a tomb, as in [[Matthew 8:21]] or [[Acts 2:29]].
* **Nouns related to Death/Burial:**
* τάφος (taphos - `{{G5028}}`): "Tomb," "sepulchre," or "grave," referring to the physical resting place.
* μνημεῖον (mnēmeion - `{{G3419}}`): "Memorial" or "tomb," often used interchangeably with taphos for Jesus' burial site.
* **Practices and Materials:**
* **Anointing:** The act of applying oil or perfume, a key component of entaphiasmós, as seen with Mary's anointing (ἀλείφω - aleiphō - `{{G218}}`) in [[John 12:3]].
* **Spices (ἀρώματα - arōmata - `{{G759}}`):** Aromatic substances like myrrh and aloes, used for embalming or honoring the deceased, as specified in [[John 19:39-40]] and [[Luke 23:56]].
* **Linen cloths (σινδών - sindōn - `{{G4616}}`, ὀθόνιον - othonion - `{{G3608}}`):** Used to wrap the body in accordance with Jewish burial customs, forming a crucial part of the entaphiasmós.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of the comprehensive and culturally specific process of preparing a body for burial in the ancient world, highlighting the solemnity and care involved.
### Theological Significance
The entaphiasmós of Jesus carries profound theological implications:
* **Prophetic Confirmation of Christ's Death:** Jesus' own interpretation of Mary's anointing as preparation for His entaphiasmós ([[John 12:7]]) underscores His divine foreknowledge and the preordained nature of His death. It transforms a simple act of devotion into a prophetic sign, demonstrating that His death was not an accident but a purposeful fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
* **The Reality of Christ's Sacrifice:** The detailed description of Jesus' entaphiasmós in [[John 19:40]] with spices and linen cloths affirms the historical reality of His death. This meticulous preparation of the body, performed by real individuals adhering to real customs, is crucial for validating the subsequent resurrection. Without a genuine death and burial, the resurrection loses its power and meaning.
* **Honor and Dignity in Death:** Despite the ignominy of the cross, the entaphiasmós of Jesus, performed with costly spices by honorable men ([[John 19:38-39]]), demonstrates the profound respect and dignity accorded to His body. This contrasts sharply with the typical treatment of crucified criminals, highlighting His unique status even in death.
* **Foundation for the Resurrection:** The careful entaphiasmós sets the stage for the empty tomb. The orderly arrangement of the grave clothes ([[John 20:6-7]]) after the body had passed through them provides compelling evidence of a miraculous, not a natural, departure. The very thoroughness of the entaphiasmós makes the absence of the body all the more inexplicable by natural means, thereby strengthening the testimony to the resurrection. The entaphiasmós is thus an indispensable historical anchor for the central truth of Christianity.
### Summary
G1780 (entaphiasmós) precisely defines the meticulous "preparation for interment," a solemn ritual involving anointing, wrapping, and spicing a deceased body. Its two New Testament occurrences in the Gospel of John are pivotal: [[John 12:7]] reveals Jesus' prophetic understanding of Mary's anointing as a pre-burial preparation, underscoring His divine foreknowledge and the intentionality of His sacrifice. [[John 19:40]] details the actual entaphiasmós of Jesus' body, performed with reverence and adherence to Jewish custom, using costly spices and linen cloths. This careful preparation, even if hastened, serves as a crucial historical anchor, affirming the reality of Jesus' death and setting the stage for the unparalleled miracle of the empty tomb and His resurrection. Thus, entaphiasmós not only points to the finality of death but, in the context of Christ, to the profound honor of His person and the historical veracity of His death, which is foundational to the Christian hope of redemption and new life.
TRV