### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κηρίον (transliterated as *kēríon*, `{{G2781}}`) carries the core meaning of "honeycomb" or "a piece of honeycomb." Its etymology traces back to a diminutive form related to the word for "wax" (κῆρος, *kēros*), from which the bees construct their cells. Thus, the word denotes not merely the sweet substance, but the intricate, waxy structure that contains it. The semantic range is quite narrow, specifically referring to this natural product of bees, often consumed for its sweetness and nutritional value. It implies a tangible, edible object.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κηρίον (`{{G2781}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in a profoundly significant context: [[Luke 24:42]]. Following His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, who are terrified, believing they are seeing a spirit. To dispel their fear and provide irrefutable proof of His physical, bodily resurrection, Jesus invites them to touch Him and asks for food. The disciples offer Him "a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb" (καὶ ἀπὸ μελίσσης κηρίου, *kai apo melissēs kēriou*, literally "and from a bee's honeycomb"). Jesus then takes it and eats it in their presence. The inclusion of honeycomb alongside broiled fish emphasizes the tangibility and normalcy of the food, serving as concrete evidence that Jesus was not a phantom but possessed a true, physical body, capable of eating and digesting. This single occurrence is pivotal in Luke's narrative, underscoring the reality of the resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
While κηρίον (`{{G2781}}`) has a singular occurrence, it is conceptually linked to several broader biblical themes and words.
* **Honey:** The substance contained within the honeycomb (μέλι, *meli*, `{{G3191}}`). Honey itself is a rich biblical symbol, often representing sweetness, delight, wisdom, divine instruction (e.g., "sweeter than honey," [[Psalm 19:10]]), and the abundance of the promised land (e.g., "a land flowing with milk and honey," [[Exodus 3:8]]).
* **Food and Eating:** The act of eating is central to the context of [[Luke 24:42]]. This relates to the broader biblical motif of shared meals as signs of fellowship, reconciliation, and the physical reality of human existence (e.g., the Last Supper, meals with tax collectors and sinners).
* **Body and Flesh:** The consumption of honeycomb directly addresses the physical nature of Jesus' resurrected body, contrasting with the ethereal nature of a "spirit." This concept is further explored through words like σῶμα (*sōma*, `{{G4983}}`, "body") and σάρξ (*sarx*, `{{G4561}}`, "flesh").
* **Proof and Witness:** The honeycomb serves as a tangible piece of evidence, aligning with the biblical emphasis on eyewitness testimony and verifiable signs (e.g., "many infallible proofs," [[Acts 1:3]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κηρίον (`{{G2781}}`) in [[Luke 24:42]] is profound, despite its singular appearance.
1. **Confirmation of the Bodily Resurrection:** This is its primary theological function. The act of eating honeycomb (and fish) definitively proves that Jesus' resurrection was not merely spiritual or apparitional, but physical and corporeal. This directly counters any docetic or Gnostic tendencies that would deny the reality of Christ's physical body, both in His earthly life and in His resurrected state. The disciples could see, touch, and witness Him eat, establishing the continuity of His person.
2. **Affirmation of Christ's True Humanity:** Even in His glorified state, Jesus retains His true humanity, including the capacity to eat and drink. This reinforces the doctrine of the Incarnation—that God truly became man—and assures believers that their resurrected Savior is fully human, yet fully divine.
3. **Continuity of Identity:** The act of eating familiar food helps the disciples recognize that the resurrected Jesus is indeed the same Jesus they knew before His crucifixion. It bridges the gap between His earthly ministry and His post-resurrection appearances.
4. **Anticipation of Fellowship:** While a simple meal, it foreshadows the ongoing fellowship believers will have with the resurrected Christ, both in the present through communion and sacrament, and ultimately in the eschatological feast of the Kingdom of God.
### Summary
The Greek word κηρίον (`{{G2781}}`), meaning "honeycomb," appears only once in the New Testament in [[Luke 24:42]]. In this crucial post-resurrection account, Jesus eats a piece of honeycomb (alongside broiled fish) in the presence of His disciples. This simple act carries immense theological weight, serving as irrefutable proof of His physical, bodily resurrection, thereby affirming His true humanity and the tangible reality of His glorified body. The word, though rare, plays a vital role in Luke's narrative to dispel doubt and establish the concrete nature of Christ's victory over death, underscoring the continuity of His person and providing a foundation for the disciples' future witness.
TRV