from μνάομαι; a memorial, i.e. sepulchral monument (burial-place):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.
Transliteration:mnēma
Pronunciation:mnay'-mah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term μνῆμα (mnēma) `{{G3418}}` is derived from the verb μνάομαι (mnaomai), which signifies "to remember" or "to call to mind." This etymological root is crucial for understanding its core meaning: a place or object intended for remembrance. Specifically, within the context of the New Testament and ancient Greek usage, mnēma predominantly refers to a "sepulchral monument," a "tomb," or a "grave." It denotes a physical structure or location where a deceased person is interred, serving as a memorial to their life and death. The emphasis is on the commemorative aspect of the burial site, distinguishing it from a mere hole in the ground by implying a degree of construction or designation as a permanent marker.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of μνῆμα `{{G3418}}` in the New Testament are almost exclusively concentrated in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' burial and resurrection, highlighting its profound theological significance.
* **Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John):** The term is central to the Passion narratives, consistently referring to the tomb where Jesus was laid.
* In [[Matthew 27:60]], Joseph of Arimathea places Jesus' body in his own "new tomb" (μνῆμα). Subsequent verses ([[Matthew 27:61]], [[Matthew 27:64]], [[Matthew 28:1]]) describe the women visiting and the guards securing this mnēma.
* [[Mark 15:46]] notes Jesus being laid in a mnēma, and [[Mark 16:2]], [[Mark 16:3]], [[Mark 16:5]], [[Mark 16:8]] describe the women's approach to and discovery of the empty mnēma on the first day of the week.
* Luke's account similarly uses mnēma for Jesus' burial place ([[Luke 23:53]], [[Luke 23:55]], [[Luke 24:1]], [[Luke 24:2]], [[Luke 24:9]], [[Luke 24:12]], [[Luke 24:22]], [[Luke 24:24]]), emphasizing the women's visit and the disciples' verification of its emptiness.
* John's Gospel also employs mnēma for Jesus' tomb ([[John 19:42]], [[John 20:1]], [[John 20:2]], [[John 20:3]], [[John 20:4]], [[John 20:6]], [[John 20:8]]), particularly in the dramatic scene of Mary Magdalene's discovery and Peter and John's subsequent examination of the empty sepulchre.
* **Acts:**
* [[Acts 2:29]] features Peter's sermon, where he refers to David's "tomb" (mnēma) as still being "with us to this day," indicating a well-known and enduring burial monument.
* [[Acts 13:29]] reiterates that after Jesus' crucifixion, His body was laid in a mnēma.
* **Revelation:**
* [[Revelation 11:9]] uses mnēma in a prophetic context, stating that the bodies of the two witnesses will not be allowed to be placed in a mnēma, signifying a public disgrace and denial of proper burial rites.
In every instance, mnēma refers to a designated burial site, often a constructed or hewn tomb, and in the Gospels, it is the central locus for the historical event of the resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
μνῆμα `{{G3418}}` is part of a semantic field related to memory and burial:
* **μνάομαι (mnaomai) / μιμνῄσκω (mimnēskō):** The root verbs meaning "to remember" or "to remind." This connection underscores that a mnēma is fundamentally a place designed to evoke remembrance of the deceased.
* **μνημεῖον (mnēmeion) `{{G3419}}`:** This word is very closely related and often used interchangeably with mnēma in the Septuagint and New Testament, also meaning "tomb" or "monument." While some scholars suggest mnēma might emphasize the *memorial* aspect more and mnēmeion the *structure*, in practice, their distinction in the NT is subtle and context-dependent, often functioning as synonyms.
* **τάφος (taphos) `{{G5028}}`:** Another significant word for "tomb" or "grave." Taphos tends to emphasize the act of burial or the grave as a receptacle for the dead, whereas mnēma highlights the *memorial* function or the *monumental* aspect of the burial site. While distinct, they are often used in parallel or can refer to the same reality.
* **κοιμητήριον (koimētērion):** Although not present in the New Testament, this term, from which "cemetery" is derived, means "sleeping place." It reflects the early Christian understanding of death as a temporary sleep awaiting resurrection, a concept that informs the theological significance of the mnēma.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of μνῆμα `{{G3418}}` is inextricably linked to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
* **The Empty Tomb as Proof:** The mnēma is not just a historical detail; it is the tangible, physical evidence for the resurrection. The discovery of the empty tomb by the women and disciples transformed it from a symbol of death's finality into the primary witness to life's triumph. The very emptiness of the mnēma provides irrefutable testimony to Jesus' victory over death.
* **Locus of Divine Power:** The mnēma represents the place where the power of God was most dramatically displayed. What was intended as a permanent resting place for a corpse became the site of a miraculous new creation, challenging all human expectations of death.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The mnēma serves as the physical location where Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's death, burial, and resurrection found their fulfillment.
* **Foundation of Christian Hope:** For believers, the mnēma of Christ is a profound source of hope. It reminds them that death is not the end, but a transition. Just as Christ emerged from the mnēma in glory, so too will believers experience resurrection to eternal life. It transforms the concept of a grave from a place of sorrow to a beacon of future joy.
* **Memory of a Living Savior:** True to its root, the mnēma evokes remembrance, but not of a dead figure. Instead, it prompts the remembrance of a living, reigning Savior who conquered the grave, ensuring that His followers too will overcome death.
### Summary
The Greek word μνῆμα (mnēma) `{{G3418}}` denotes a "memorial" or "sepulchral monument," a designated burial place intended for remembrance. Its etymological link to "remembering" underscores this commemorative function. In the New Testament, mnēma is predominantly used in the Gospels to refer to the tomb of Jesus Christ, making it a pivotal term for understanding the resurrection. Unlike τάφος (taphos) `{{G5028}}`, which focuses on the grave as a receptacle, or μνημεῖον (mnēmeion) `{{G3419}}`, which is often synonymous, mnēma particularly emphasizes the memorial aspect of the burial site. Theologically, the mnēma is far more than a mere burial place; it is the tangible proof of Jesus' resurrection, the physical locus where divine power was manifested, and the foundational symbol of Christian hope for victory over death. Its emptiness is the ultimate testimony to a living Savior and the promise of future resurrection for all who believe.
TRV