ὠνέομαι

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ōnéomai, represented by G5608, means to purchase or buy. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, making it a highly specific term used to describe a singular, significant transaction.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of G5608 occurs in Stephen's historical address in the book of Acts. While recounting the history of the patriarchs, he states that after they were brought to Sychem, they were laid "in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor" Acts 7:16. The word here emphasizes a formal and legitimate commercial exchange, a key detail in the establishment of the patriarchs' first holding in the promised land.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from this passage illuminate the context of this purchase:

• G11 Abraám (Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch): The individual who performs the action of purchasing. As a patriarch who received God's promises, his act of buying land is significant Hebrews 11:8.
• G3418 mnēma (a memorial, i.e. sepulchral monument): This term identifies the object of the purchase, a sepulchre, which served as a permanent family burial place Acts 7:16.
• G5092 timḗ (a value, i.e. money paid... price): This specifies the method of the transaction, referring to the "sum" or price that Abraham paid to acquire the tomb.
• G694 argýrion (money, (piece of) silver): This word further clarifies the "sum" paid as being money, highlighting the tangible nature of the purchase Acts 7:16.

Theological Significance

Though it appears only once, the theological weight of G5608 is tied to its context within Abraham's story.

• Faith in the Promise: Abraham's purchase of a burial plot was an act of faith. By buying a piece of the land, he was physically laying claim to the future inheritance God had promised to him and his seed Galatians 3:29.
• Legal Claim: The use of a word for a formal purchase underscores that this was not a conquest or a gift, but a legitimate transaction. It established a legal and permanent presence for Abraham's descendants in the land.
• Seed of Inheritance: The acquisition of a tomb, a place of death, paradoxically becomes a symbol of promised life and future possession for the nation that would descend from Abraám Matthew 1:1.

Summary

In summary, G5608 is a precise term that, in its single biblical appearance, captures a pivotal moment. It moves beyond a simple definition of "to buy" to signify an act of faith, a legal claim, and the first tangible step toward the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham. The word marks the moment the patriarch secured the first piece of the inheritance for his descendants.