ὀθόνη
othónē
G3607 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A piece of linen cloth, especially used as a large sheet or sail; in various contexts, refers to any large fabric item fashioned from linen, such as those used to catch wind on ships or as coverings or wrappings.
Semantic Range
linen fabric, sheet, sail, large cloth used as a covering or container
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain; possibly related to an old Ionian/Attic form for 'linen' or 'cloth,' but no clear cognates; might be a loanword or reflect a non-Greek origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὀθόνη is rare in classical Greek and does not appear frequently before Hellenistic times. In Greek maritime contexts (notably in Acts 10:11), ὀθόνη refers specifically to a ship's sail or sheet—a large linen canvas used to catch wind. The term also denotes, in some texts, a large linen cloth or fabric generally, without specification of function, though never as clothing. In the New Testament (Acts 10:11, 11:5), the word is used for the visionary 'sheet' lowered from heaven; most English translations render it 'sheet,' but the underlying term signals a textile of significant size and strength, often with nautical associations. In the Septuagint, its usage is minimal to absent, indicating its Koine usage as somewhat specialized. The word lacks theological significance, serving as a utilitarian term. English 'sheet' or 'sail' are sometimes too narrow, as ὀθόνη may refer to any large linen fabric, depending on context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; a linen cloth, i.e. (especially) a sail:--sheet.
Root Family
ὀθόνη (othonē) — linen cloth, large sheet, sail
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3607-01 |
ὀθόνην | othonen | N ACC F SG |
sheet | large linen cloth | a large linen cloth | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3607-01 |
Acts 10:11 | ὀθόνην | othonen | N ACC F SG |
sheet | large linen cloth | a large linen cloth |
G3607-01 |
Acts 11:5 | ὀθόνην | othonen | N ACC F SG |
sheet | large linen cloth | a large linen cloth |