3046. litra

Lexicon

litra: Pound

Original Word: λίτρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: litra
Pronunciation: LEE-trah
Phonetic Spelling: (lee'-trah)
Definition: Pound
Meaning: a Roman pound, of about twelve ounces.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pound.

Of Latin origin (libra); a pound in weight -- pound.

HELPS Word-studies

3046 lítra – a Roman pound, about twelve ounces or 327.5 grams (so Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
a pound (in weight, by Rom. standards)
NASB Translation
pound (1), pounds (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3046: λίτρα

λίτρα, λίτρας, ἡ, a pound, a weight of twelve ounces: John 12:3; John 19:39. (Polybius 22, 26, 19; Diodorus 14,116, 7; Plutarch, Tib. et G. Grac. 2, 3; Josephus, Antiquities 14, 7, 1; others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from Latin "libra," meaning a pound.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for λίτρα, as it is a term specific to the Greco-Roman context. However, similar concepts of weight and measurement in the Hebrew Bible might be related to terms like "מָנֶה" (maneh) or "כִּכָּר" (kikkar), which are used to denote weights in the Old Testament.

Usage: The term λίτρα is used in the New Testament to denote a specific weight measurement, particularly in the context of valuable substances such as spices or ointments.

Context: The Greek term λίτρα appears in the New Testament in contexts where precise measurements of weight are significant, particularly in the Gospel of John. It is used to describe the weight of precious materials, emphasizing the value and abundance of the items being referenced.

In John 12:3, λίτρα is used to describe the amount of expensive perfume made of pure nard that Mary used to anoint the feet of Jesus: "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (BSB)

Similarly, in John 19:39, λίτρα is used to describe the mixture of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus for the burial of Jesus: "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." (BSB)

These instances highlight the cultural and economic significance of λίτρα as a measure of weight, reflecting the lavishness and honor associated with the actions described. The use of λίτρα underscores the devotion and respect shown to Jesus through the generous use of costly materials.

Forms and Transliterations

λιτραν λίτραν λιτρας λίτρας litran lítran litras lítras

Englishman's Concordance

John 12:3 N-AFS
GRK: Μαριὰμ λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου
NAS: took a pound of very costly
KJV: Mary a pound of ointment
INT: Mary having taken a litra of ointment of nard

John 19:39 N-AFP
GRK: ἀλόης ὡς λίτρας ἑκατόν
NAS: about a hundred pounds [weight].
KJV: about an hundred pound [weight].
INT: aloes about litras a hundred

Strong's Greek 3046
2 Occurrences

λίτραν — 1 Occ.
λίτρας — 1 Occ.