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χρῖσμα

chrîsma

G5545 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An anointing; the act or process of applying ointment or oil, usually in a ritual, ceremonial, or symbolic context. Secondarily, in figurative and later religious usage, refers to a spiritual endowment, empowerment, or consecration, especially as signified by the presence or work of the divine spirit in a person.

Semantic Range

anointing, act of anointing, ointment or unguent for anointing, ritual consecration, sacramental endowment, spiritual empowerment

Root / Etymology

From χρίω (‘to anoint, to smear with oil’), with the nominal suffix -μα indicating the result or means of an action. Thus, χρῖσμα denotes both the substance used for anointing (ointment, unguent) and the act or effect of anointing itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, χρῖσμα primarily denoted the act of anointing or the substance (oil or ointment) applied for medicinal, cosmetic, or ritual purposes. In the Septuagint, terms related to anointing are significant in priestly and royal contexts, often translating Hebrew מָשַׁח (māšaḥ), referring to consecration. In the New Testament, χρῖσμα occurs only in 1 John (2:20, 2:27), where it is employed metaphorically for an endowment or empowerment imparted by God’s Spirit to the community or individual believers. The term also became important in early Christian and later theological vocabulary (see 'chrism' in ecclesiastical usage), though its specific meaning in Koine texts is shaped by context. Standard translations such as 'anointing' or 'unction' capture aspects of the term but may obscure its ritual, communal, and spiritual connotations in various sources. The nuance of divine empowerment, which became prominent in Christian texts, reflects later semantic development.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from χρίω; an unguent or smearing, i.e. (figuratively) the special endowment ("chrism") of the Holy Spirit:--anointing, unction.

Root Family

χρῖσμα (chrisma) — anointing, smearing with oil, ritual consecration, spiritual endowment

Root χρῖ- to anoint, to smear, to rub with oil

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5545-01 χρῖσμα chrisma N ACC N SG anointing an anointing anointing 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5545-01 1 John 2:20 χρῖσμα chrisma N ACC N SG anointing an anointing an anointing
G5545-01 1 John 2:27 χρῖσμα chrisma N NOM N SG anointing an anointing anointing
G5545-01 1 John 2:27 χρῖσμα chrisma-2 N NOM N SG anointing an anointing anointing
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