neuter of a presumed compound of πᾶς and a derivative of δέχομαι; all-receptive, i.e. a public lodging-place (caravanserai or khan):--inn.
Transliteration:pandocheîon
Pronunciation:pan-dokk-i'-on
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G3829 (πανδοχεῖον, *pandocheîon*) is a neuter noun derived from a presumed compound of two significant Greek roots: πᾶς (*pas*), meaning "all" or "every," and a derivative of δέχομαι (*dechomai*), meaning "to receive" or "to welcome." This etymological composition reveals its core meaning: an "all-receiving" or "all-welcoming" place. In practical terms, it refers to a public lodging-place, often a caravanserai or khan, a common feature of ancient Near Eastern travel routes. These establishments provided shelter, food, and often stables for travelers and their animals, operating as a commercial enterprise open to anyone who could pay. Unlike a private home offering hospitality, the *pandocheîon* was a public institution, emphasizing its accessibility to all without distinction of origin or status. Its semantic range is quite narrow, specifically denoting this type of public inn or hostelry.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G3829 (πανδοχεῖον) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the poignant Parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke.
* **[[Luke 10:34]]**: "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn (*pandocheîon*), and took care of him."
In this pivotal passage, the Samaritan's actions exemplify radical compassion. After tending to the severely injured man by the roadside, the Samaritan's commitment extends beyond immediate first aid. He transports the man to a *pandocheîon*, a public inn, signifying a crucial step in sustained care. The choice of an inn, rather than a private home, highlights the Samaritan's practical and profound concern. He not only brings the man to a place of shelter but also personally attends to him overnight, demonstrating a level of care that surpasses mere obligation. Furthermore, in [[Luke 10:35]], the Samaritan entrusts the man to the innkeeper, providing two denarii (a significant sum, perhaps two days' wages) and promising to cover any additional expenses upon his return. This transfer of care to the *pandocheîon* and its keeper underscores the Samaritan's foresight and dedication to the man's full recovery, utilizing a public facility for a private act of profound mercy. The inn, in this context, becomes a place of refuge, healing, and continued provision, facilitated by the Samaritan's sacrificial generosity.
### Related Words & Concepts
While G3829 specifically denotes a public inn, its meaning is enriched by comparison with related concepts and terms in the biblical lexicon, particularly those concerning lodging and hospitality.
* **`{{G2646}}` (κατάλυμα, *katalyma*)**: This word, often translated as "guest room" or "lodging place," appears in contexts such as the "inn" where Mary and Joseph found no room in Bethlehem ([[Luke 2:7]]) or the "large upper room" prepared for the Last Supper ([[Luke 22:11]]). Unlike the *pandocheîon*, which is explicitly a commercial, public establishment, *katalyma* can refer to a private guest room or a more informal, temporary lodging place, sometimes even a caravanserai, but without the explicit "all-receiving" etymological emphasis of *pandocheîon*. The distinction underscores the public nature of the *pandocheîon* in [[Luke 10:34]].
* **Hospitality (φιλοξενία, *philoxenia*)**: The broader concept of *philoxenia* ("love of strangers") is deeply embedded in biblical ethics and is central to the Parable of the Good Samaritan. While the *pandocheîon* is a commercial venture, the Samaritan's use of it transcends mere transaction; it becomes an instrument of radical *philoxenia*. The inn provides the physical space, but the Samaritan's actions infuse it with the spirit of selfless care, a stark contrast to the priest and Levite who passed by. Passages like [[Romans 12:13]] and [[Hebrews 13:2]] exhort believers to practice hospitality, highlighting its importance as a Christian virtue.
* **Refuge and Shelter**: The *pandocheîon* serves as a tangible symbol of refuge, a place where the vulnerable can find safety and care. This resonates with numerous Old Testament themes where God is portrayed as a refuge ([[Psalm 91:2]]) and where the community is called to provide shelter for the needy, the sojourner, and the distressed ([[Deuteronomy 10:18-19]]).
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of G3829 in the Parable of the Good Samaritan imbues the *pandocheîon* with profound theological significance, particularly in its symbolic representation and the actions associated with it.
1. **A Place of Universal Reception and Grace**: The "all-receiving" nature of the *pandocheîon* mirrors the expansive and indiscriminate nature of God's grace. Just as the inn is open to all travelers, regardless of their background, God's mercy and salvation are offered to all humanity. The Samaritan, in bringing the injured man to such a place, extends a grace that transcends ethnic and social boundaries, reflecting the boundless love of God for all people, even those considered enemies.
2. **A Symbol of the Church's Ministry**: Many theological interpretations see the *pandocheîon* as a type or symbol of the Church. Like the inn, the Church is called to be an "all-receiving" community, a place of refuge, healing, and sustained care for the spiritually wounded and outcast. The Samaritan's entrustment of the man to the innkeeper, along with resources and a promise of return, is often seen as an allegory for Christ entrusting the care of His people to the Church (the innkeeper) until His second coming, providing the necessary spiritual resources for their recovery and growth.
3. **The Cost of Compassion**: The Samaritan's actions at the inn underscore the costly nature of true compassion. He not only brings the man to the inn but pays for his care and promises to return. This models the sacrificial love of Christ, who paid the ultimate price for humanity's healing and promises His return. The inn, therefore, becomes the locus where this costly compassion is concretely manifested and sustained.
4. **A Place of Healing and Restoration**: Beyond mere shelter, the *pandocheîon* functions as a place where the injured man can recover. This speaks to the Church's role in spiritual and emotional healing, providing a safe environment for restoration and growth for those broken by sin and life's hardships.
### Summary
The Greek word G3829 (πανδοχεῖον, *pandocheîon*), meaning an "all-receiving" public inn or caravanserai, holds a singular yet deeply significant place in the New Testament. Its sole appearance in [[Luke 10:34]], within the Parable of the Good Samaritan, transforms it from a mere commercial establishment into a powerful symbol. It represents a place of universal reception and sustained care, reflecting the boundless grace of God and the expansive nature of true compassion that transcends societal boundaries. The Samaritan's actions at the *pandocheîon* — bringing the injured man, providing resources, and ensuring ongoing care — serve as a profound model of sacrificial love and a pattern for the Church's ministry as an "all-receiving" community dedicated to the healing and restoration of the broken. The *pandocheîon* thus stands as a testament to the practical, costly, and enduring nature of biblical hospitality and mercy.
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