λέντιον
léntion
G3012 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A linen cloth, specifically a towel or apron used for washing or drying, often associated with personal cleanliness or service. Primary meaning is a piece of linen used for wiping or drying. In certain contexts, refers to a towel used for washing feet or hands, or for wrapping around the body as a servant's apron.
Semantic Range
linen cloth, towel, apron for wiping or drying, servant’s towel, cloth for foot-washing
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'linteum', meaning linen (cloth). The Greek λέντιον is a loanword, reflecting Roman influence during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Not derived from a native Greek root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
λέντιον appears infrequently in extant Greek literature and is particularly notable in the New Testament (e.g., John 13:4-5), where it refers to the towel Jesus used to wash the disciples' feet, illustrating humility and service. As a Latin loanword, it reflects the material culture and social practices (especially Roman) introduced into the eastern Mediterranean during the late Hellenistic and Roman periods. Classical Greek had other terms for cloth or towels, such as χιτών or τέντυρον, but λέντιον’s usage in the NT is distinct for denoting a servant's towel or apron, tied to acts of hospitality and servitude. English translations typically render it as 'towel,' which is accurate in context but lacks the nuance of service embedded in the cultural use of the word. Its specific association with acts of washing and serving differentiates it from general terms for cloth.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Latin origin; a "linen" cloth, i.e. apron:--towel.
Root Family
λέντιον (léntion) — linen cloth, towel, apron
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3012-01 |
λεντίῳ | lentio | N DAT N SG |
towel | to a linen towel | 1 |
G3012-02 |
λέντιον | lention | N ACC N SG |
a towel | a linen towel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences