### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G4614 (Sinâ) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew `{{H5514}}` (Sînay). It refers specifically to Mount Sinai, a prominent geographical landmark in the Arabian wilderness. Its core meaning is singular and precise: the mountain itself, which holds immense significance in the biblical narrative. Unlike some terms with broad semantic fields, G4614 primarily functions as a proper noun denoting this specific location. However, while its denotative meaning is fixed, its connotative meaning is rich and expansive, encompassing the pivotal events associated with it, particularly the giving of the Law and the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant. Thus, "Sinai" evokes not merely a place but a foundational epoch in salvation history.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G4614 appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in the book of Acts and Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, each context illuminating different facets of its significance.
In Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, Mount Sinai features prominently as the locus of divine revelation and interaction with Moses:
* [[Acts 7:30]]: Stephen recounts the appearance of the angel of the Lord to Moses "in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush." This establishes Sinai as the site of God's initial call to Moses and the beginning of the Exodus narrative.
* [[Acts 7:38]]: Moses is described as being "with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us." Here, Sinai is presented as the place where the Law, the "living oracles," was directly received from God through angelic mediation.
* [[Acts 7:44]]: Stephen refers to "the tabernacle of witness... made according to the pattern that he had seen" – a pattern revealed to Moses on Sinai. This underscores Sinai as the origin point for the divinely ordained worship system and the presence of God among His people.
The repeated mention of Sinai in Acts 7 emphasizes its role as the foundational site of God's covenant with Israel and the source of their Law and worship, serving Stephen's argument about God's presence not being confined to the Jerusalem temple.
Paul employs G4614 allegorically in his argument concerning Law and grace in Galatians:
* [[Galatians 4:24]]: Paul states, "For these women are an allegory: one is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery—she is Hagar." Here, Sinai is personified as Hagar, representing the covenant of Law.
* [[Galatians 4:25]]: He further clarifies, "Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children." This verse explicitly links Sinai to the old covenant, which, when understood as a means of justification, leads to spiritual bondage, contrasting it with the freedom found in Christ.
In Galatians, Sinai is not merely a geographical location but a powerful theological symbol representing the Mosaic covenant and its inability to justify apart from faith in Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Greek G4614 is intrinsically linked to its Hebrew progenitor, `{{H5514}}` (Sînay), which appears extensively in the Old Testament, particularly in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, describing the events of the Law-giving.
Key concepts and terms related to G4614 include:
* **The Law (Greek: *nomos* `{{G3551}}`):** The commandments and statutes given by God at Sinai, forming the core of the Mosaic Covenant.
* **Covenant (Greek: *diathēkē* `{{G1242}}`):** Specifically, the Mosaic Covenant established between God and Israel at Sinai, outlining their relationship and responsibilities.
* **Wilderness (Greek: *erēmia* `{{G2047}}`):** The geographical context for the events at Sinai, symbolizing a period of testing, dependence on God, and divine provision.
* **Revelation (Greek: *apokalypsis* `{{G602}}`):** Sinai is the preeminent site of God's self-disclosure to Israel, marked by fire, cloud, and voice.
* **Bondage/Slavery (Greek: *douleia* `{{G1397}}`):** A concept Paul associates with the covenant of Sinai when it is misapplied as a means of achieving righteousness.
* **Jerusalem (present):** In Galatians, Paul's allegorical parallel to Sinai, representing those who cling to the Law for salvation.
* **Hagar:** The allegorical figure associated with Sinai and the covenant of bondage in Galatians.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G4614 (Sinâ) is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Locus of Divine Revelation and Covenant:** Sinai stands as the quintessential location where God directly revealed His character, His will, and His Law to His chosen people, Israel. It is the birthplace of the Mosaic Covenant, establishing Israel as a unique nation under God's direct governance. This highlights God's holiness, His desire for a relationship with humanity, and His provision of a framework for righteous living.
2. **Foundation of Israel's Identity:** The events at Sinai forged Israel's identity as a people set apart by God. The Law given there provided the moral, civil, and ceremonial codes that distinguished them from other nations and guided their relationship with Yahweh.
3. **Mediated Relationship with God:** The giving of the Law through Moses at Sinai underscores the principle of mediation in God's dealings with humanity. Moses served as the intermediary between a holy God and His people, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ.
4. **Symbol of the Old Covenant and its Limitations:** In Pauline theology, particularly in Galatians, Sinai takes on a crucial symbolic role. It represents the old covenant of Law, which, while holy and good, was never intended as the means of justification or spiritual freedom. Paul contrasts the "children of Sinai" (those under the Law, leading to bondage) with the "children of the free woman" (those under grace, leading to freedom in Christ). This does not devalue the Law but clarifies its purpose within God's overarching redemptive plan, demonstrating that it points to the need for a greater salvation found in Christ.
5. **Continuity and Discontinuity in Salvation History:** Stephen's speech emphasizes the continuity of God's work from Sinai to the present, highlighting God's presence and activity outside of the temple. Paul, however, emphasizes a theological discontinuity in the *means* of salvation, moving from the covenant of Law (Sinai) to the covenant of grace (Christ). Both perspectives are vital for a comprehensive understanding of God's progressive revelation.
### Summary
The Greek term G4614 (Sinâ) refers to Mount Sinai, a geographical location of paramount importance in biblical history. It is the sacred mountain where God manifested His presence, delivered the Ten Commandments, and established the Mosaic Covenant with Israel. In the New Testament, its significance is explored in two primary contexts: Stephen's defense in Acts, where Sinai symbolizes the foundational divine revelation and the origin of the Law, and Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, where it functions allegorically to represent the covenant of Law, contrasting its potential for bondage with the freedom offered through faith in Christ. Thus, G4614, while denoting a specific place, carries profound theological weight, serving as a powerful symbol of divine encounter, covenant, and the pivotal transition from Law to grace in God's redemptive narrative.
TRV