σποδός (G4700) — Greek Lexicon

σποδός

spodós

G4700 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Powdery remains resulting from burning; ashes. In most contexts, σποδός specifically refers to the residue of combustion, such as the ashes of burnt wood, sacrificed animals, or incense. Can denote ashes generally or, in ritual and mourning contexts, the material employed in practices of lamentation, purification, or humiliation.

Semantic Range

ashes from burning, remains after fire, ritual ashes, ashes as used in mourning or purification, ashes as a symbol of mortality or destruction

Root / Etymology

uncertain; the precise Greek root is unclear. The word appears independently in ancient Greek literature and does not derive transparently from an existing Greek verb or noun. Cognates are attested in other Indo-European languages, but direct lineage is not certain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

σποδός is well attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek, typically signifying ordinary or ritual ashes. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often appears in contexts of ritual impurity, mourning, and repentance (e.g., sitting in ashes, sprinkling ashes on the head). Unlike κονιορτός (dust, dry earth), σποδός specifically means the residue from burning, thus closely linked to the acts of sacrifice or destruction. In Greek tragedy and poetry, it occasionally functioned as a poetic metaphor for what is left after calamity or for mortality. In biblical usage, English translations traditionally render σποδός simply as “ashes,” but this may obscure the ritual and emotional resonance of the term in ancient settings. No connotations of value, nullity, or judgment are inherent in the word itself; any such associations arise only from literary or ritual context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; ashes:--ashes.

Root Family

σποδ- (spodós) — ash, residue from burning, powder from combustion

Root σποδ- ash, residue from burning, powder from combustion

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4700-01`	σποδῷ	spodo	`N DAT F SG`	ashes	in ashes	ashes	2
`G4700-02`	σποδὸς	spodos	`N NOM F SG`	ashes	ashes	ashes	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4700-01`	Matthew 11:21	σποδῷ	spodo	`N DAT F SG`	ashes	in ashes	ashes
`G4700-01`	Luke 10:13	σποδῷ	spodo	`N DAT F SG`	ashes	in ashes	ashes
`G4700-02`	Hebrews 9:13	σποδὸς	spodos	`N NOM F SG`	ashes	ashes	ashes

← G4699 Greek Lexicon G4701 →