In biblical terminology, a "superscription" refers to an inscription or writing placed above or at the beginning of a document, often serving as a title or heading. This term is most commonly associated with the inscriptions found in the Psalms and the Gospels, particularly in the context of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Superscriptions in the Psalms

The Book of Psalms contains numerous superscriptions that provide context, authorship, or musical instructions. These headings are considered part of the canonical text in the Hebrew Bible and are often included in English translations. For example, Psalm 3 begins with the superscription: "A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom." Such superscriptions offer historical context and insight into the circumstances surrounding the composition of the psalm.

The Berean Standard Bible includes these superscriptions, which are valuable for understanding the intended use or background of the psalm. They may indicate the author, the occasion for the psalm, or instructions for musical accompaniment, such as "To the Chief Musician" or "With stringed instruments."

Superscription at the Crucifixion

One of the most significant uses of a superscription in the New Testament is the inscription placed above Jesus' head during His crucifixion. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, each providing a slightly different wording of the inscription. The Berean Standard Bible records the superscription in Matthew 27:37 as: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

The purpose of this superscription was to declare the charge against Jesus, as was customary in Roman executions. Pilate ordered the inscription to be written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, ensuring that it was understood by all who passed by. This trilingual inscription is noted in John 19:19-20 : "Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek."

The superscription was a point of contention among the Jewish leaders, who protested to Pilate, asking him to change it to say that Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews. However, Pilate refused, stating, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). This inscription, therefore, stands as a profound declaration of Jesus' identity and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, despite the intentions of those who sought to mock Him.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the superscription at the crucifixion holds deep significance. It serves as a public proclamation of Jesus' kingship, a central theme in Christian doctrine. The irony of the inscription lies in its truth; while intended as a charge of sedition, it affirms the Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah and King. The use of three languages underscores the universal nature of His kingship, reaching beyond the Jewish people to all nations.

In summary, superscriptions in the Bible, whether in the Psalms or at the crucifixion, provide important context and convey theological truths. They serve as a testament to the historical and spiritual dimensions of the biblical narrative, offering insight into the divine inspiration and purpose of Scripture.1. (n.) The act of superscribing.

2. (n.) That which is written or engraved on the surface, outside, or above something else; specifically, an address on a letter, envelope, or the like.

3. (n.) That part of a prescription which contains the Latin word recipe (Take) or the sign /.

SUPERSCRIPTION

su-per-skrip'-shun (epigraphe):

(1) The legend on a coin designating the person in whose honor or by whose authority it is issued (Matthew 22:20 Mark 12:16 Luke 20:24).

(2) The accusation on the cross of Jesus (Mark 15:26 Luke 23:38). According to Roman custom an inscription bearing the charge or ground of a criminal's condemnation was fixed to the cross on which he was crucified. The use of such an inscription at the crucifixion of Jesus is mentioned by all four evangelists. The fullest description is that of Mark, "the superscription of his accusation" (he epigraphe tes aitias autou) (15:26). Matthew calls it more briefly "his accusation" (ten aitian autou) (27:38), while Luke styles it merely "a superscription" (epigraphe) (23:38). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a "title" (titlon) (John 19:19). The text of the superscription is given by the four evangelists in varying terms and with various degrees of fullness.

Russell Benjamin Miller

1923. epigraphe -- an inscription
... inscription, superscription. From epigrapho; an inscription -- superscription. see
GREEK epigrapho. (epigraphe) -- 4 Occurrences. (epigraphen) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1923.htm - 6k

Whose Image and Superscription?
... VOLUME II: ST. LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV WHOSE IMAGE AND SUPERSCRIPTION?
'Whose image and superscription hath it?'"Luke 20:24. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/whose image and superscription.htm

The Prologue.
... i. 614). But there is no indication elsewhere that St. Athanasius was acquainted
with this superscription, and with the exception of a few very modern mss. ...
/.../augustine/ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/the prologue.htm

The Encamping Angel
... 34:7. If we accept the statement in the superscription of this psalm, it
dates from one of the darkest hours in David's life. His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the encamping angel.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... [See p.376.] 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and
superscription? ^c Whose image and superscription hath it? [The ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to.htm

The Tribute Money
... And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? ... All the visible universe
bears deeply stamped into its substance His image and superscription. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 13-17 the tribute money.htm

The History of the Psalter
... Psalm 3xli. all bear the Davidic superscription and use the designation Jehovah
two hundred and seventy-two times, but Elohim only fifteen. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... letters. Thus, for example, the twenty-ninth chapter of the prophecy of
Jeremiah opens with the interesting superscription: Now ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

D. The Question as to Paying Tribute. Ch. 20:19-26
... Whose image and superscription hath it? ... To make plain his meaning, Jesus first called
for a Roman coin, and asked whose image and superscription it bore. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the question as to.htm

A Song of Deliverance
... According to the ancient Jewish tradition preserved in the superscription of this
psalm, it was written at the lowest ebb of David's fortunes, 'when the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a song of deliverance 2.htm

The Prayer of Prayers
... The superscription says that it was David's, and although its place in the Psalter
seems to suggest another author, the peculiar fervour and closeness of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the prayer of prayers.htm

Superscription (5 Occurrences)
...SUPERSCRIPTION. ... The fullest description is that of Mark, "the superscription
of his accusation" (he epigraphe tes aitias autou) (15:26). ...
/s/superscription.htm - 9k

Genesis
... of generations; so that for this reason, 2:4a, where mention is made of the toledhoth
of heaven and of earth, cannot possibly be a superscription that has ...
/g/genesis.htm - 40k

Penny (14 Occurrences)
... This was the "tribute money" with reference to which our Lord said, "Whose image
and superscription is this?" When they answered, "Caesar's," he replied ...
/p/penny.htm - 12k

Cesar's (8 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Mark 12:16 And they brought it: and he saith to them, Whose is this image
and superscription? ... Whose image and superscription hath it? ...
/c/cesar's.htm - 8k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... and subscriptions were incorporated in the Psalter, and that in the process of copying
the Psalms by hand, the distinction between the superscription of a ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Micah (54 Occurrences)
... prophets. The superscription to this book states that the prophet exercised
his office in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. ...
/m/micah.htm - 38k

Superstition (1 Occurrence)

/s/superstition.htm - 8k

Nero
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Occurs only in the superscription (which is probably spurious,
and is altogether omitted in the RV) to the Second Epistle to Timothy. ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Jeremy (2 Occurrences)
... In manuscripts Vaticanus and Alexandrinus the title is simply "An Epistle of Jeremiah."
But in Codex Vaticanus, etc., there is a superscription introducing the ...
/j/jeremy.htm - 12k

Jews (287 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, "THE KING
OF THE JEWS." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/j/jews.htm - 36k

Who was the Asaph mentioned in the Book of Psalms? | GotQuestions.org

Superscription: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus