μέλαν
mélan
G3188
SILEX Entry
Definition
A black liquid, typically used for writing or drawing (ink); primarily refers to ink as a substance for inscribing texts, but can also denote black pigment in a broader sense. The word is the neuter form of the adjective μέλας ('black') and as a noun specifies a black, writing fluid.
Semantic Range
ink (writing fluid), black pigment, black coloring matter, written record (by metonymy in some contexts)
Root / Etymology
From the root μέλας ('black, dark'); the neuter form μέλαν is substantivized to refer to the black writing substance—ink. Related to the earlier Greek μέλας, which means 'black' or 'dark.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, μέλαν is chiefly used in the sense of 'black' as a color adjective (μέλας, μέλαινα, μέλαν), but as a noun, the neuter form develops a technical usage for 'ink,' the black liquid used in writing. Its technical sense is evident in documentary papyri, inscriptions, and literary contexts, including the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g. 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 John 12; 3 John 13). Ink was commonly made from soot or lampblack mixed with gum and water in antiquity; thus, μέλαν is consistently the term for ink in Greek technical literature. English translations reliably render μέλαν as 'ink' when context clearly refers to writing materials. Cognate with Latin 'melas' and distantly related to the Indo-European root for 'black' or 'dark.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of μέλας as noun; ink:--ink.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 total occurrences
No occurrences found.