Μαγδαληνή (G3094) — Greek Lexicon

Μαγδαληνή

Magdalēnḗ

G3094 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Female from Magdala; denotes a woman originating from or associated with the town of Magdala, a locale on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Used specifically as an epithet to designate Mary Magdalene (Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή) in the New Testament, thereby distinguishing her geographic origin. Its primary sense is that of a geographical identifier, not of ancestry or religious identity.

Semantic Range

woman from Magdala, of Magdala, the Magdalene (as a byname for Mary), inhabitant or native of Magdala

Root / Etymology

Feminine form of the adjective deriving from Μαγδαλά (Magdala), with the suffix -ηνή (-ēnē) indicating origin or association. Magdala itself is derived from the Aramaic word מגדל (magdal), meaning 'tower' or 'fortress.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Μαγδαληνή is first attested in pre-Christian and New Testament Greek as a designation for a woman from Magdala. In the New Testament, it appears solely as an epithet for Mary Magdalene, distinguishing her from other women named Mary. There is no evidence of 'Magdalene' being a common personal name; rather, its usage is strictly toponymic. Later Christian tradition developed a distinct identity around Mary Magdalene, often reading theological or moral connotations into her epithet, but the Koine Greek term itself is neutral and refers only to place of origin. Standard English translations render the term as 'Magdalene,' often as if it were a surname, which can obscure its original geographic function.

Translation Consistency

primary "Magdalene" 12 occurrences

SILEX identifies this as a geographic byname (a woman from Magdala) most often used to label Mary as ‘the Magdalene.’ Using ‘Magdalene’ preserves the specific, identifying epithet common in English Bibles and keeps the geographic/distinctive sense; the alternative ‘woman’ is accurate but loses that identifying detail and can be ambiguous.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a derivative of Μαγδαλά; a female Magdalene, i.e. inhabitant of Magdala:--Magdalene.

Root Family

Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnē) — of/from Magdala, associated with Magdala, woman from Magdala

Root Μαγδαλ- of/from Magdala, associated with Magdala

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3094-01`	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)	12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3094-01`	Matthew 27:56	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Matthew 27:61	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Matthew 28:1	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Mark 15:40	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Mark 15:47	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Mark 16:1	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Mark 16:9	Μαγδαληνῇ	magdalene	`N DAT F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Luke 8:2	Μαγδαληνή	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	Luke 24:10	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	John 19:25	Μαγδαληνή	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	John 20:1	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)
`G3094-01`	John 20:18	Μαγδαληνὴ	magdalene	`N NOM F SG`	Magdalene	woman from Magdala	Magdalene (woman from Magdala)

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