211. alabastron

Lexicon

alabastron: Alabaster jar, alabaster box

Original Word: ἀλάβαστρον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: alabastron
Pronunciation: ah-LAH-bah-stron
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ab'-as-tron)
Definition: Alabaster jar, alabaster box
Meaning: a phial or bottle of perfumed ointment, usually of alabaster.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

alabaster box.

Neuter of alabastros (of uncertain derivation), the name of a stone; properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e. (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material) -- (alabaster) box.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a box of alabaster
NASB Translation
alabaster vial (3), vial (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 211: ἀλάβαστρον

ἀλάβαστρον, , τό (in the plural in Theocritus, 15, 114; Anth, Pal. 9, 153; in other secular writings ὁ and ἡ ἀλάβαστρος; (the older and more correct spelling drops the p, cf. Stephanus' Thesaurus, under the word, 1385 d.; Liddell and Scott, under the word ἀλάβαστρος)), a box made of alabaster, in which unguents are preserved (Pliny, h. n, 13, 2 (3) (others, 13, 19) "unguenta optime servantur in alabastris); with the addition of μύρου (as in Lucian, dial. mer. 14, 2; (Herodotus 3, 20)): Luke 7:37; Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3 (where L T adopt τόν ἀλάβαστρον, Tr WH (Meyer) τήν ἀλ.; Matthew and Luke do not add the article, so that it is not clear in what gender they use the word (cf. Tdf.s critical note at the passage)). Cf. Winers RWB (or B. D.) under the word .

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word ἀλάβαστρος (alabastros), which refers to a type of stone used to make containers for perfumes and ointments.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀλάβαστρον, as it is a term specific to Greek culture and language, particularly in the context of the New Testament. However, the concept of anointing with oil or perfume can be related to Hebrew practices, such as those described in passages involving anointing oils (e.g., Exodus 30:25).

Usage: The term ἀλάβαστρον is used in the New Testament to describe a container of perfume or ointment, often highlighting the value and preciousness of its contents. It is notably mentioned in the context of anointing Jesus.

Context: The term ἀλάβαστρον appears in the New Testament in the context of significant events involving Jesus. Alabaster was a fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum or calcite, often used in the ancient world to create containers for expensive perfumes and ointments due to its ability to preserve the fragrance.

In the Gospels, ἀλάβαστρον is mentioned in the accounts of a woman anointing Jesus. In Matthew 26:7 (BSB), it is written: "a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table." Similarly, in Mark 14:3 (BSB), the narrative describes: "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head."

These accounts emphasize the act of devotion and the sacrificial nature of the woman's offering, as the alabaster jar contained costly perfume, symbolizing her deep reverence and love for Jesus. The breaking of the jar signifies the totality of her gift, leaving nothing withheld.

Forms and Transliterations

αλαβαστρον αλάβαστρον ἀλάβαστρον alabastron alábastron

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 26:7 N-ANS
GRK: γυνὴ ἔχουσα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου βαρυτίμου
NAS: came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly
KJV: having an alabaster box of very precious
INT: a woman having an alabaster flask of ointment very costly

Mark 14:3 N-ANS
GRK: γυνὴ ἔχουσα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου νάρδου
NAS: a woman with an alabaster vial
KJV: having an alabaster box of ointment
INT: a woman having alabastar flask of ointment of nard

Mark 14:3 N-ANS
GRK: συντρίψασα τὴν ἀλάβαστρον κατέχεεν αὐτοῦ
NAS: with an alabaster vial of very costly
KJV: she brake the box, and poured
INT: having broken the alabastar flask she poured [it] on his

Luke 7:37 N-ANS
GRK: Φαρισαίου κομίσασα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου
NAS: she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
KJV: brought an alabaster box of ointment,
INT: Pharisee having taken an alabaster flask of ointment

Strong's Greek 211
4 Occurrences

ἀλάβαστρον — 4 Occ.