Lexical Summary talitha: Little girl, damsel Original Word: ταλιθά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance young girl. Of Chaldee origin (compare taleh); the fresh, i.e. Young girl; talitha (O maiden) -- talitha. see HEBREW taleh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin Definition maiden NASB Translation Talitha (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5008: ταλιθάταλιθά (WH ταλειθα, see their Appendix, p. 155, and under the word εἰ, ἰ; more correctly accented ταλιθά (see Kautzsch, as below, p. 8; cf. Tdf. Prolog., p. 102)), a Chaldean word טְלִיתָא (according to Kautzsch (Gram. d. Biblical-Aram., p. 12) more correctly, טַלְיְתָא, feminine of טַלְיָא, 'a youth'), a damsel, maiden: Mark 5:41. Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Cultural Setting The word appears in transliterated Aramaic within a Greek text, preserving the everyday language Jesus shared with the Galileans. By allowing the original utterance to stand, Mark underscores both the historical concreteness of the event and the intimacy of the Lord’s address to the child. Aramaic was the common vernacular of first-century Palestine; its retention here signals eyewitness authenticity and links the reader to the very sound of Jesus’ voice. Biblical Occurrence Mark 5:41 records the sole New Testament use: “Taking her by the hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)”. The scene forms the climax of the account of Jairus’s twelve-year-old daughter, set amid a sequence of mighty deeds that display Christ’s mastery over danger, disease, and death. Christological Significance 1. Authority: The simple imperative reveals that Jesus’ word alone is effectual; no incantation or secondary agency is required. Foreshadowing of Resurrection Hope The raising of Jairus’s daughter anticipates the empty tomb. Jesus treats death as a temporary sleep (Mark 5:39). This preview resonates with later revelations: John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, and 1 Thessalonians 4:14, where the certainty of bodily resurrection rests on the Savior’s victory. Intertextual Connections • Luke 7:14—“Young man, I say to you, get up!” parallels the structure and demonstrates a consistent pattern of authoritative command. Historical Reception in the Early Church Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Augustine cited the episode to defend the true humanity of Christ and the goodness of the body. In baptismal liturgies of Syriac traditions, the phrase “Talitha koum” was sometimes proclaimed over new believers as a reminder of spiritual awakening. Pastoral and Ministerial Application 1. Comfort at Funerals: The narrative assures grieving families that Jesus remains Lord over death and will one day say to every believer, “Rise!” Liturgical and Devotional Use Hymns, prayers, and artwork frequently echo the Aramaic to evoke immediacy and trust. The phrase invites believers to imagine the personal call of Christ, fostering faith that His voice can still awaken both physical life in the resurrection to come and spiritual vitality in the present. Integration within the Canon The event functions as a narrative hinge in Mark, reinforcing themes of faith (Mark 5:36), secrecy (5:43), and the in-breaking kingdom. It aligns seamlessly with the testimony of the rest of Scripture, where the spoken word of God creates, sustains, and ultimately restores life (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 21:5). Summary Strong’s Greek 5008 encapsulates a moment when the incarnate Son addressed a powerless child and reversed death with a single, tender command. Its lone appearance strengthens confidence in the historical Jesus, deepens understanding of His redemptive mission, and inspires ongoing trust that the same voice will one day summon all who sleep in Him. Forms and Transliterations Ταλειθα Ταλειθά ταλιθα ταλιθά talithaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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