The Greek word laxeutós, represented by G2991, means hewn in stone or rock-quarried. It is derived from a compound of terms related to stone and scraping. This highly specific word appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, highlighting a singular, significant moment.
The sole use of G2991 is found in the account of Jesus's burial. After the crucifixion, the body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in linen G4616, and laid in a sepulchre. The text specifies that this was "a sepulchre that was hewn in stone" Luke 23:53. This detail emphasizes the nature of the tomb, not as a simple grave, but as a chamber carved directly out of solid rock, a place of permanence and security.
Several related words from its biblical context help clarify the scene:
- G3418 mnēma (sepulchre, tomb): This is the noun that G2991 modifies. The burial place is explicitly identified as a sepulchre, and its specific quality is that it was hewn in stone Luke 23:53.
- G1794 entylíssō (to entwine, i.e. wind up in): This verb describes the action of wrapping the body in linen immediately before it was placed in the rock-quarried tomb, showing the deliberate care taken in the burial process Luke 23:53.
- G2749 keîmai (to lie outstretched... lay, lie): This word is used to confirm the unique status of the tomb, noting that no one had ever before been laid within it Luke 23:53, adding to its significance.
The theological weight of G2991 comes from its specific context in the burial narrative.
- A Unique Resting Place: The tomb is described as both hewn in stone G2991 and a place "wherein never man before was laid" Luke 23:53. This combination underscores the pure and singular nature of the burial, set apart from all others.
- Intentional Honor: The act of placing the body in a permanent, rock-quarried tomb, after being carefully wrapped G1794, demonstrates purpose and honor. It was not a hasty or common burial, but one carried out with intention.
- The Solidity of the Tomb: Describing the sepulchre as carved from rock emphasizes its security and immovability. This solid reality provides a profound backdrop for the scriptural truth that He "must rise again from the dead" John 20:9.
In summary, G2991 is a rare word that provides a crucial detail in the biblical narrative. Though used only once, laxeutós defines the tomb of Christ as a permanent chamber cut from solid rock. This detail, coupled with the fact that the tomb was new and unused, elevates the significance of the burial, highlighting its unique honor and setting the stage for the events that would follow.
TRV