from μνήμη; a remembrance, i.e. cenotaph (place of interment):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.
Transliteration:mnēmeîon
Pronunciation:mnay-mi'-on
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, `{{G3419}}`) derives from the root μνήμη (mnēmē, `{{G3417}}`), meaning "memory" or "remembrance." At its core, therefore, μνημεῖον signifies a place or structure intended for remembrance. Its primary semantic range in the New Testament encompasses a grave, sepulchre, or tomb. It is not merely a hole in the ground, but often a constructed or hewn monument designed to house the dead and, by its very existence, to preserve their memory. This emphasis on commemoration distinguishes it somewhat from a simple "grave" (τάφος, taphos, `{{G5028}}`), though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously. The mnēmeîon serves as a tangible link to the departed, a site where their life and death are recalled.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, `{{G3419}}`) in the New Testament are predominantly found in the Gospels and Acts, with significant theological weight.
Most notably, the term is used repeatedly to refer to the tomb of Jesus Christ. Examples include [[Matthew 27:60]], where Joseph of Arimathea lays Jesus' body in his new tomb, and [[Matthew 28:1]], [[Mark 16:2]], [[Luke 24:1]], and [[John 20:1]], which all describe the women coming to the mnēmeîon on the first day of the week, only to find it empty. This consistent use underscores the physical reality of Jesus' burial and the subsequent, miraculous discovery of His absence. The mnēmeîon of Christ, therefore, becomes the focal point of the resurrection narrative, serving as the irrefutable evidence of His triumph over death.
Beyond Christ's tomb, the term is applied to:
* The tomb of Lazarus in Bethany ([[John 11:17]], [[John 11:31]], [[John 11:38]]), illustrating its use for a typical burial place within a community.
* The tombs of the prophets and righteous, which the Pharisees are condemned for building and adorning ([[Matthew 23:29]], [[Luke 11:47]]). Here, the mnēmeîon highlights a superficial piety that honors the dead while rejecting the living truth.
* The dwelling place of the Gerasene demoniac ([[Mark 5:2]], [[Luke 8:27]]), depicting tombs as places associated with impurity, desolation, and spiritual darkness, outside the bounds of normal human habitation.
Across these contexts, mnēmeîon consistently refers to a stone-hewn or constructed burial site, emphasizing its permanence and its role as a marker of death, though profoundly subverted in the case of Christ's resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, `{{G3419}}`) illuminates its meaning and theological implications:
* μνήμη (mnēmē, `{{G3417}}`): The direct root, signifying "memory" or "remembrance." This connection is vital, as it grounds the very purpose of a mnēmeîon in the act of recalling the deceased.
* μνημονεύω (mnēmoneuō, `{{G3421}}`): To remember, to call to mind. This verb reinforces the active process of remembrance associated with the mnēmeîon.
* τάφος (taphos, `{{G5028}}`): Grave, tomb. While often used interchangeably with mnēmeîon, taphos more broadly refers to the burial place itself, whereas mnēmeîon carries a stronger sense of a memorial or monument, emphasizing its commemorative aspect.
* θάνατος (thanatos, `{{G2288}}`): Death. The mnēmeîon is the physical manifestation of death's dominion over the human body, serving as its final earthly abode.
* ἀνάστασις (anastasis, `{{G386}}`): Resurrection. This concept stands in stark theological contrast to the mnēmeîon, especially in the context of Christ. The mnēmeîon represents death, while the resurrection represents life's ultimate victory over it.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, `{{G3419}}`) is profound, particularly in its association with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The empty mnēmeîon of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith. What was intended as a permanent resting place, a symbol of finality, became the undeniable proof of Christ's triumph over death and the grave. The very structure designed to commemorate a life ended now proclaims eternal life. This transformation of the mnēmeîon from a symbol of human mortality to a beacon of divine power and hope is central to the Gospel message. It signifies that death, for believers, is not the ultimate end but a passage to new life, guaranteed by Christ's resurrection.
Furthermore, the mnēmeîon serves as a theological marker in other contexts:
* In the condemnation of the Pharisees, their elaborate mnēmeîa for the prophets expose their hypocrisy. They honor the dead but reject the living truth, demonstrating a piety that is outward and superficial, lacking true spiritual substance.
* The mnēmeîa as a dwelling place for the demoniac underscore their association with spiritual darkness, impurity, and separation from God's light and order. They represent the realm where death holds sway, contrasting sharply with the life and liberation brought by Christ.
Ultimately, the mnēmeîon of Christ is the site where the power of God decisively broke the bonds of death, offering the promise of resurrection to all who believe.
### Summary
The Greek term μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, `{{G3419}}`) denotes a grave, sepulchre, or tomb, specifically understood as a place of *remembrance* for the deceased. Its derivation from μνήμη (mnēmē, `{{G3417}}`) highlights its commemorative function. In the New Testament, its most significant usage is in the narratives surrounding the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The empty mnēmeîon of Christ stands as the foundational testimony to His victory over death, transforming a symbol of human mortality into a beacon of divine power and eternal life for all who believe. It also serves as a poignant reminder of superficial religious observance and the spiritual darkness associated with the realm of death, contrasting sharply with the life and light brought by Christ.
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