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κράσπεδον

kráspedon

G2899 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Edge or border; specifically, the decorative or functional fringe, tassel, or extension at the edge of a garment or fabric. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, commonly refers to the hem of a garment, particularly the attached tassel or ornamental edge found on traditional garments. In some contexts, specifically denotes the ritual tassels mandated by Torah (cf. Numbers 15:38-39), worn as a visible marker of religious observance.

Semantic Range

edge or border of a garment or fabric, decorative or functional fringe, attached tassel on clothing, hem (specifically referring to the ritual tassel in Judean and Israelite clothing), border/edge of other objects (rare), metaphorical margin or border

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Possibly from a pre-Greek or non-Indo-European substrate term, with no securely identifiable root in classical Greek. Often treated as a term of unknown origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κράσπεδον appears infrequently but generally refers to the edge or border of fabric, clothing, or even the sea-shore (the edge of the land and sea). During the Hellenistic and Second Temple periods, the term increasingly acquires a technical meaning in Judean and Israelite contexts, referring to the ‘tassels’ (צִיצִת ,ṣîṣit) attached to the corners of garments as prescribed in the Torah (Numbers 15:38-39 and Deuteronomy 22:12). In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 9:20; 14:36; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:44), κράσπεδον refers to the hem or fringe of a garment—specifically alluding to such ritual tassels worn by observant Judeans. The LXX uses κράσπεδον as a translation for ṣîṣit, reinforcing this ritual sense. Standard English versions sometimes render the term as ‘hem’ or ‘border,’ but this can obscure the specific ritual and social connotation of a distinctive tassel. In wider Greek usage, it can also denote the edge of other objects (cloth, carpets, etc.) where decorative or functional edging is present. Thus, κράσπεδον reflects both a generic meaning (border, edge) and a culturally loaded one (ritual tassel).

Translation Consistency

primary "fringe" 5 occurrences

κράσπεδον typically denotes the hem/fringe or attached tassel of a garment (including ritual tassels). “Fringe” is the natural, broad English term covering hem, tassel, and decorative border, matches the majority of existing renderings, and will read naturally across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; a margin, i.e. (specially), a fringe or tassel:--border, hem.

Root Family

uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name

Root uncertain edge, border, fringe, tassel
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1009 βότρυς clusters
G1050 Γάϊος to Gaius
G1055 γαλήνη calm stillness
G108 Ἄζωτος Ashdod
G1148 Δαλμανουθά of Dalmanoutha

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2899-02 κρασπέδου kraspedou N GEN N SG fringe of the fringe fringe 4
G2899-01 κράσπεδα kraspeda N ACC N PL fringes garment fringes garment fringes 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2899-02 Matthew 9:20 κρασπέδου kraspedou N GEN N SG fringe of the fringe fringe
G2899-02 Matthew 14:36 κρασπέδου kraspedou N GEN N SG fringe of the fringe fringe
G2899-01 Matthew 23:5 κράσπεδα kraspeda N ACC N PL fringes garment fringes garment fringes
G2899-02 Mark 6:56 κρασπέδου kraspedou N GEN N SG fringe of the fringe fringe
G2899-02 Luke 8:44 κρασπέδου kraspedou N GEN N SG fringe of the fringe fringe
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