4700. spodos

Lexicon

spodos: Ashes

Original Word: σποδός
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: spodos
Pronunciation: spo-DOS
Phonetic Spelling: (spod-os')
Definition: Ashes
Meaning: ashes.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

ashes.

Of uncertain derivation; ashes -- ashes.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
ashes
NASB Translation
ashes (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4700: σποδός

σποδός, σποδοῦ, ἡ, from Homer down, ashes: Hebrews 9:13; ἐν σάκκῳ καί σποδῷ κάθημαι, to sit clothed in sackcloth and covered with ashes (exhibiting the tokens of grief, cf. Jonah 3:6; Isaiah 58:5; Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 6:26; Esther 4:1, 3; 1 Macc. 3:47; cf. σάκκος, b.): Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of σποδέω (spodeo), meaning "to scatter" or "to sprinkle."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H665: אֵפֶר (epher) • Ashes, often used in the Old Testament in similar contexts of mourning and repentance.
• H1878: דֶּשֶׁן (deshen) • Fatness, ashes; sometimes used metaphorically to denote abundance or richness, but also related to the residue of burnt offerings.

These entries highlight the continuity between the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in their symbolic use of ashes to convey themes of repentance, humility, and the human condition before God.

Usage: The term σποδός is used in the New Testament to denote ashes, particularly in contexts of mourning or repentance. It appears in passages that describe acts of humility or penitence, where individuals would cover themselves with ashes as a sign of their contrition or grief.

Context: The Greek word σποδός appears in the New Testament in contexts that reflect ancient Near Eastern customs of expressing sorrow, repentance, or humility. In the cultural and religious practices of the time, covering oneself with ashes was a physical manifestation of inner contrition or mourning. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament, where ashes are frequently associated with repentance and humility before God.

In the New Testament, σποδός is notably used in Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13, where Jesus reproaches the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida for their unrepentance despite witnessing His miracles. He states that if the miracles performed in these cities had been done in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (σποδός). This usage underscores the traditional association of ashes with repentance and the acknowledgment of one's sins.

The symbolic use of ashes in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance. It reflects a deep-seated cultural understanding that true repentance involves both an inward change of heart and an outward expression of humility and sorrow.

Forms and Transliterations

σποδόν σποδος σποδός σποδὸς σποδού σποδω σποδώ σποδῷ σπονδαί σπονδάς σπονδεία σπονδείων σπονδή σπονδήν σπονδών spodo spodō spodôi spodō̂i spodos spodòs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:21 N-DMS
GRK: σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ μετενόησαν
NAS: long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
KJV: sackcloth and ashes.
INT: sackcloth and ashes they had repented

Luke 10:13 N-DMS
GRK: σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ καθήμενοι μετενόησαν
NAS: sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
KJV: sackcloth and ashes.
INT: sackcloth and ashes sitting they had repented

Hebrews 9:13 N-NFS
GRK: ταύρων καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα
NAS: and bulls and the ashes of a heifer
KJV: and the ashes of an heifer
INT: of bulls and ashes of a heifer sprinkling

Strong's Greek 4700
3 Occurrences

σποδῷ — 2 Occ.
σποδὸς — 1 Occ.