Μαγδαλά
Magdalá
G3093 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun denoting a specific locality: Magdala, a town or village situated on the western shore of the Lake of Galilee. The term signifies the place name and does not, in its Greek usage, function as a common noun meaning 'tower.' Contextually, it refers to a populated settlement, and in the New Testament it is related specifically to a geographic location associated with persons, such as Mary Magdalene (Μαρία ἡ καλουμένη Μαγδαληνή, i.e., Mary the one called Magdalene, 'from Magdala').
Semantic Range
name of a settlement (Magdala) west of the Sea of Galilee, designation of origin for inhabitants of Magdala (e.g., as a cognomen in Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή)
Root / Etymology
The Greek Μαγδαλά is a transliteration of the Aramaic/Hebrew Migdal or Magdal (מִגְדָּל), meaning 'tower' or 'fortress.' The place name likely refers to a site known for such a structure or for its elevated position. The Greek term is a loanword and does not develop further within Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Μαγδαλά appears in Hellenistic and Roman period sources as the Greek rendering of the name for a settlement on the Sea of Galilee's western side. In the New Testament, it is attested in Matthew 15:39, where it marks a location visited by Jesus. In parallel accounts (Mark 8:10), the place is called Dalmanutha, possibly reflecting variant traditions or manuscript transmission differences. Magdala was also known in Greek and Latin as Taricheae in some historical sources (notably Josephus), reflecting its importance as a center for fish salting. The word gave rise to the designation 'Magdalene' for individuals (e.g., Mary Magdalene), indicating origin from Magdala but not carrying the underlying 'tower' meaning in Greek usage. The locale is not prominent in earlier Hebrew sources, and its identification in the Second Temple period relies on archaeological and literary evidence. English Bible translations routinely use 'Magdala' as a place name without conveying the root meaning 'tower,' which is etymologically accurate but semantically irrelevant for Greek and NT usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (compare מִגְדָּל); the tower; Magdala (i.e. Migdala), a place in Palestine:--Magdala.
Root Family
Μαγδαλ- (Magdalá) — Magdala, settlement name, place
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3094 | Μαγδαληνή | woman from Magdala |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3093-01 |
Μαγαδάν | magadan | N GEN F SG |
of Magadan | of Magdala | Magdala | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3093-01 |
Matthew 15:39 | Μαγαδάν | magadan | N GEN F SG |
of Magadan | of Magdala | Magdala |