205. akrothinion

Lexicon

akrothinion: Firstfruits, spoils, top of the heap

Original Word: ἀκροθίνιον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: akrothinion
Pronunciation: ak-ro-thee'-nee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-roth-in'-ee-on)
Definition: Firstfruits, spoils, top of the heap
Meaning: (lit: top of a heap), first-fruits, spoil, treasure (taken in war).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

spoils.

From akron and this (a heap); properly (in the plural) the top of the heap, i.e. (by implication) best of the booty -- spoils.

see GREEK akron

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as akron and this (a heap)
Definition
the top of a heap, i.e. the best of the spoils
NASB Translation
choicest spoils (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 205: ἀκροθίνιον

ἀκροθίνιον, , τό (from ἄκρος extreme, and θίς, genitive θινός, a heap; extremity, topmost part of a heap), generally in plural τά ἀκροθίνια the first-fruits, whether of crops or of spoils (among the Greeks customarily selected from the topmost part of the heaps and offered to the gods, Xenophon, Cyril 7, 5, 35); in the Bible only once: Hebrews 7:4, of booty. (Pindar, Aeschylus, Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a compound of ἄκρος (akros, meaning "top" or "summit") and θίς (this, meaning "heap" or "pile"). The term originally referred to the topmost or best portion of a heap.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of offering the firstfruits or choicest portions is paralleled in the Hebrew Scriptures. Corresponding Hebrew terms include:
• H7225 רֵאשִׁית (reshith): Often translated as "firstfruits" or "beginning," used in contexts of offering the first and best to God.
• H2459 חֵלֶב (cheleb): Refers to the "fat" or "choicest" parts, often used in sacrificial contexts to denote the best portions offered to God.

These Hebrew terms reflect similar practices and theological principles found in the use of ἀκροθίνιον, emphasizing the dedication of the best to God as an act of worship and acknowledgment of His sovereignty.

Usage: The word ἀκροθίνιον is used in the New Testament to describe the portion of spoils that is dedicated or offered. It appears in the context of ancient practices where victors in battle would dedicate a portion of their gains as a sign of gratitude or allegiance.

Context: The term ἀκροθίνιον is notably used in the New Testament in the Epistle to the Hebrews. In Hebrews 7:4, the writer references the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek, where Abraham gives Melchizedek a tenth of the choicest spoils. This act is significant as it highlights the practice of offering the best portion of one's gains as a tribute or offering. The passage reads: "Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!" (Hebrews 7:4, BSB). This offering underscores the recognition of Melchizedek's priestly authority and serves as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's eternal priesthood. The use of ἀκροθίνιον in this context emphasizes the importance of giving the best to God, reflecting a principle of honoring God with the first and finest of one's resources.

Forms and Transliterations

ακροθινιων ακροθινίων ἀκροθινίων akrothinion akrothiniōn akrothiníon akrothiníōn

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 7:4 N-GNP
GRK: ἐκ τῶν ἀκροθινίων ὁ πατριάρχης
NAS: gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
KJV: the tenth of the spoils.
INT: out of the best spoils the patriarch

Strong's Greek 205
1 Occurrence

ἀκροθινίων — 1 Occ.