Lexical Summary sphagion: Sacrifice, offering Original Word: σφάγιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance slain beast. Neuter of a derivative of sphage; a victim (in sacrifice) -- slain beast. see GREEK sphage NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sphagé Definition a victim (for slaughter) NASB Translation victims (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4968: σφάγιονσφάγιον, σφαγιου, τό (σφαγή), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, that which is destined for slaughter, a victim (A. V. slain beast): Acts 7:42 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 512 (477)) (Amos 5:25; Ezekiel 21:10). Topical Lexicon Etymology and Concept Derived from the common Greek idea of slaughter for cultic purposes, σφάγια denotes animals killed as offerings. The term naturally carried the sense of both ritual solemnity and violent bloodshed, reminding hearers that sacrifice was costly and life-taking. Old Testament Roots In the Septuagint the cognate σφάγια appears in texts such as Amos 5:25–26, Isaiah 34:6 and Jeremiah 46:10, often paralleling θυσίαι (“sacrifices”). It regularly describes offerings presented to idols (Leviticus 17:7) or to the Lord (Ezekiel 40:42). Whether directed toward Yahweh or false gods, the vocabulary emphasizes that worship involves the surrender of life. When Israel lapsed into idolatry, their σφάγια became a reproach rather than a pleasing aroma (Isaiah 1:11). Thus the prophets could condemn “multiplied sacrifices” because the heart posture nullified the ritual (Micah 6:6–8). New Testament Usage (Acts 7:42) Luke records Stephen’s address before the Sanhedrin: “Then God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you offer Me sacrifices and offerings for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?’” (Acts 7:42). Here σφάγια points back to Israel’s wilderness generation, who outwardly sacrificed yet inwardly clung to Egyptian idols (compare Amos 5:25–27). Stephen indicts his hearers with the same sin—maintaining temple ritual while rejecting God’s Messiah. The lone New Testament usage thus exposes the hollowness of form without faith. Theological Significance 1. Exposed Idolatry. The word underscores that idolatry masquerades as authentic worship. Even genuine bloodshed at an altar can be directed to false deities when the heart is estranged from God. Historical Setting By Stephen’s day, daily temple sacrifices continued under Herodian renovation. Yet zeal for the rite coexisted with resistance to the gospel. σφάγια thus becomes a poignant critique: the very men overseeing sacrifices would shortly persecute those proclaiming the ultimate atonement. Historically this anticipates the temple’s destruction in A.D. 70, when physical sacrifices ceased, emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ’s cross. Implications for Ministry and Worship • Integrity before Activity: Ministries can perform correct liturgy yet drift in affection. Acts 7:42 warns leaders to prize obedience and faith over mere ceremony. Contemporary Reflection Stephen’s mention of σφάγια, though brief, pierces complacency. When worship degenerates into habit, God may “turn away” and let hearts follow their idols. Yet He also provides the remedy: the Son who “loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a fragrant sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). The church is therefore called to present not lifeless victims but “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Forms and Transliterations έσφαλε έσφαλεν σφαγια σφάγια σφαιρωτήρ σφαιρωτήρες σφακελίζοντας σφακελίζοντες σφάλαι σφαλεραί σφαλή σφάλμα σφαλούσιν σφυρωτήρος sphagia sphágiaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |