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μνῆμα

mnēma

G3418 noun

SILEX Entry

Root μνη- to remember, to commemorate, to recall

Definition

Memorial mark or structure indicating remembrance of a person, specifically a sepulchral monument, tomb, or burial-place. In most contexts, refers to a constructed tomb or grave marker made to commemorate the deceased. May also denote the physical grave itself.

Semantic Range

memorial, tomb, sepulchral monument, grave, commemorative marker

Root / Etymology

From the verb μιμνῄσκομαι / μνάομαι ('to remember'), through the noun μνῆμα, meaning 'memorial.' Derived directly from the stem μνη- related to memory or remembrance, with the suffix -μα indicating the result of an action. Thus, μνῆμα signifies 'that which causes remembrance' or 'commemorative structure.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μνῆμα broadly designated any memorial, not always funerary—a monument, cenotaph, or commemorative structure of any kind. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, μνῆμα refers primarily to tombs and grave sites—particularly those built to mark the burial of the dead, whether simple graves or elaborate stone structures. The nuance of 'memorial' persists but is almost always linked to burial and remembrance of the deceased. Translating μνῆμα with 'grave' or 'tomb' renders the standard usage, but modern language may miss its original connotation as a marker for remembrance. Distinguished from τάφος, which generally means 'grave' or 'place of burial' (sometimes less emphatically commemorative). In some inscriptions and wider Greek literature, μνῆμα may appear as a poetic or commemorative term for any structure meant to evoke memory of a person or event, not just burial places, though this is rare in New Testament usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "tomb" 9 occurrences

μνῆμα typically denotes a sepulchral monument or grave. "Tomb" is a natural, specific English term that covers both constructed monuments and burial places, matching the primary semantic range better than broader terms like "memorial." It will read naturally across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μνάομαι; a memorial, i.e. sepulchral monument (burial-place):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.

Root Family

μνῆμα (mnēma) — memorial, remembrance, sepulchral monument, grave

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3418-01 μνῆμα mnema N ACC N SG tomb memorial tomb memorial tomb 3
G3418-02 μνήμασιν mnemasin N DAT N PL tombs to memorial tombs tombs 3
G3418-03 μνήματι mnemati N DAT N SG a tomb to a memorial tomb a memorial tomb 3

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3418-02 Mark 5:3 μνήμασιν mnemasin N DAT N PL tombs to memorial tombs tombs
G3418-02 Mark 5:5 μνήμασιν mnemasin N DAT N PL tombs to memorial tombs tombs
G3418-03 Mark 15:46 μνήματι mnemati N DAT N SG a tomb to a memorial tomb to a memorial tomb
G3418-02 Luke 8:27 μνήμασιν mnemasin N DAT N PL tombs to memorial tombs tombs
G3418-03 Luke 23:53 μνήματι mnemati N DAT N SG a tomb to a memorial tomb a memorial tomb
G3418-01 Luke 24:1 μνῆμα mnema N ACC N SG tomb memorial tomb memorial tomb
G3418-01 Acts 2:29 μνῆμα mnema N NOM N SG tomb memorial tomb memorial tomb
G3418-03 Acts 7:16 μνήματι mnemati N DAT N SG tomb to a memorial tomb memorial tomb
G3418-01 Revelation 11:9 μνῆμα mnema N ACC N SG a tomb memorial tomb memorial tomb
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