μαρτύριον (G3142) — Greek Lexicon

μαρτύριον

martýrion

G3142 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A declaration or statement serving as evidence, particularly in a formal or legal sense; also, an object or document serving as a witness or proof, sometimes denoting a written record (as in covenants or commandments). In certain contexts, especially in reference to the sanctuary or religious law, can refer specifically to the tablets of the covenant or the Decalogue.

Semantic Range

evidence, testimony, proof, witness (as a statement or object), record, the Decalogue (tablets of the covenant), legal attestation

Root / Etymology

From the root μάρτυς (martys, 'witness'), with the neuter suffix -ιον, creating an abstract noun indicating the result or substance of witnessing or testimony. Cognate with other Greek terms such as μαρτυρία (martyria, 'testimony').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μαρτύριον generally means 'evidence' or 'proof' in a judicial context. In the Septuagint, μαρτύριον frequently translates the Hebrew עֵדוּת (ʿēdût, 'testimony'), referring to the tablets of the covenant (the Decalogue) or the law itself, especially when used with the definite article or in ritual contexts (e.g., τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ μαρτυρίου, 'the ark of the testimony'). In the New Testament, it can mean 'evidence,' 'testimony' (as in testimony given or received), or a memorial/witness; it rarely, but sometimes, carries the specialized sense of sacred law or covenantal inscription. The English term 'testimony' is usually appropriate, but translations such as 'witness' or 'evidence' are sometimes more precise in legal or narrative settings. The term is distinct from μαρτυρία, though both stem from the same root, with μαρτύριον often emphasizing the objective content or object serving as witness, while μαρτυρία more broadly covers the act or fact of bearing witness. Later Christian usage sometimes narrows to the sense of 'testimony' to faith, but this is not present in most contemporary Koine sources.

Translation Consistency

primary "testimony" 19 occurrences

'Testimony' best captures the primary and typical sense of μαρτύριον across the SILEX range: a declaration or statement serving as evidence, a witness or record, and (in legal/religious contexts) the tablets or covenant words. It is the most frequent rendering in the P2 data, sounds natural in English, and covers both oral and written attestations (including the Decalogue) more precisely than alternatives like 'evidence' or 'witness'.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a presumed derivative of μάρτυς; something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle):--to be testified, testimony, witness.

Root Family

μαρτύριον (martyrion) — evidence, testimony, proof, witness-record

Root μαρτυρ- to witness, to give evidence, to bear testimony

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3142-01`	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony	17
`G3142-02`	μαρτυρίου	marturiou	`N GEN N SG`	testimony	of testimony	testimony	2

Occurrences in Scripture

19 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3142-01`	Matthew 8:4	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Matthew 10:18	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	a testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Matthew 24:14	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Mark 1:44	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Mark 6:11	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Mark 13:9	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Luke 5:14	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	a testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Luke 9:5	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	a testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Luke 21:13	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	a testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Acts 4:33	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-02`	Acts 7:44	μαρτυρίου	marturiou	`N GEN N SG`	testimony	of testimony	testimony
`G3142-01`	1 Corinthians 1:6	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N NOM N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	2 Corinthians 1:12	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N NOM N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	2 Thessalonians 1:10	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N NOM N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	1 Timothy 2:6	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N NOM N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	2 Timothy 1:8	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	Hebrews 3:5	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	testimony	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-01`	James 5:3	μαρτύριον	marturion	`N ACC N SG`	a witness	evidential testimony	evidential testimony
`G3142-02`	Revelation 15:5	μαρτυρίου	marturiou	`N GEN N SG`	testimony	of testimony	testimony

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