λιβανωτός (G3031) — Greek Lexicon

λιβανωτός

libanōtós

G3031 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Frankincense, a fragrant gum resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, used especially as incense in ritual settings; by extension, a censer or vessel for burning frankincense. The term primarily refers to the aromatic substance itself, but in some contexts is extended metonymically to the implement or container in which it is offered.

Semantic Range

frankincense resin, incense used in ritual sacrifice, container/censer for burning incense (by extension)

Root / Etymology

From the noun λίβανος (frankincense). λιβανωτός is an adjective form, functioning substantivally to denote the substance, or rarely, the vessel associated with it.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, λιβανωτός refers to frankincense, a valued aromatic resin imported from southern Arabia or Africa, commonly used in religious offerings. In the Septuagint, λιβανωτός almost exclusively designates frankincense as an ingredient in Israelite/Judean ritual, especially in temple or tabernacle contexts (see Exod 30:34; Lev 2:1). In rare cases, as in Rev 8:3, λιβανωτός may be used metonymically for the censer (the implement for burning incense), though the standard Greek for censer is θυμιατήριον. English translations sometimes render the word as 'censer' in this narrow context, but the primary sense remains the resin. Distinction between the material (λιβανωτός) and the implement (θυμιατήριον) is clear in most Greek usage. The translation 'incense' in English Bibles sometimes conceals the specific reference to frankincense (as opposed to other aromatic substances). The use of λιβανωτός in broader Hellenistic religion was widespread, and its ritual import in Judean and early Christian practice mirrored its importance elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean world.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from λίβανος; frankincense, i.e. (by extension) a censer for burning it:--censer.

Root Family

λιβανωτός (libanōtos) — frankincense, incense resin, censer (by metonymy)

Root λιβαν- frankincense, incense resin, censer (by metonymy)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3031-01`	λιβανωτὸν	libanoton	`N ACC M SG`	censer	frankincense resin	censer	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3031-01`	Revelation 8:3	λιβανωτὸν	libanoton	`N ACC M SG`	censer	frankincense resin	censer
`G3031-01`	Revelation 8:5	λιβανωτόν	libanoton	`N ACC M SG`	censer	frankincense resin	censer

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