ἀκροθίνιον
akrothínion
G205 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Properly, the top or choicest portion of a heap, particularly referring to the best or first fruits of a collection or accumulation, most commonly of agricultural produce (such as grain). By extension, also used for the choicest or first share of spoils or booty gained in war or victory. The term designates the portion set aside as the best or as an offering from the whole harvest or acquisition.
Semantic Range
choicest part of the heap, firstfruits, best portion, top of a pile, first share of spoils, best of the booty, portion set aside for offering
Root / Etymology
Compound of ἄκρον (akron, 'top, summit') and θίνις ('heap, pile'), forming ἀκροθίνιον to indicate the 'top of the heap.' The construction reflects literal reference to the highest or best part of a piled mass.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀκροθίνιον is attested with reference primarily to the best or choicest part of the harvest, often grain, gathered as a firstfruits offering to the gods or rulers. In the Septuagint (e.g., Gen 14:20, Exod 25:2), it renders the concept of 'first fruits' or the finest portion taken from a larger collective yield. In some contexts, especially in references to war, it denotes the choicest share or first portion of spoils set aside, often for divine or priestly allocation. In the New Testament, the term is rare and always plural, carrying these earlier ritual and honorific associations. Standard English translations as 'spoils' or 'firstfruits' do not fully distinguish between agricultural and martial contexts or emphasize the sense of 'the very best portion' the word implies.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄκρον and (a heap); properly (in the plural) the top of the heap, i.e. (by implication) best of the booty:--spoils.
Root Family
ἀκροθίνιον (akrothinion) — top, summit, heap, choicest portion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G205-01 |
ἀκροθινίων | akrothinion | N GEN N PL |
spoils | of the choicest portions | the choicest portions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G205-01 |
Hebrews 7:4 | ἀκροθινίων | akrothinion | N GEN N PL |
spoils | of the choicest portions | the choicest portions |