Lexical Summary tounoma: The name Original Word: τὸ ὄνομα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance named. Contraction for the neuter of ho and onoma; the name (is) -- named. see GREEK ho see GREEK onoma NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincontr. for the neut. of ho, and onoma Definition by name NASB Translation named (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5122: τοὔνοματοὔνομα (by crasis for τό ὄνομα (Buttmann, 10; WHs Appendix, p. 145)), (from Homer, Iliad 3, 235 down), the name; the accusative absolute (Buttmann, § 131, 12; Winers Grammar, 230 (216) cf. ὄνομα, 1) by name: Matthew 27:57. Topical Lexicon Linguistic Note Strong’s Greek 5122 (τοὔνομα) is the contracted expression “the name,” a crasis of the article τό and the noun ὄνομα. Its single New Testament appearance comes in Matthew 27:57, where it introduces the personal name of Joseph of Arimathea. Though the form is unique, the concept of “name” permeates Scripture, weaving together ideas of identity, character, authority, testimony, and covenant remembrance. Scriptural Usage Matthew 27:57 employs τοὔνομα to present Joseph: “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus” (Berean Standard Bible). The phrase serves as a narrative hinge, shifting focus from the religious leaders and the Roman execution squad to an unexpected disciple who assumes responsibility for Jesus’ burial. Narrative Setting in Matthew 27:57 1. The Burial Stage of the Passion—After the crucifixion, the introduction of Joseph “by name” signals divine providence ensuring Isaiah 53:9 is fulfilled: “And they made His grave with the wicked and with the rich in His death.” Joseph of Arimathea: Historical and Prophetic Role • Member of the Council yet awaiting the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43), Joseph bridges institutional Judaism and nascent Christian faith. Names and Identity in Biblical Theology From Genesis to Revelation, “name” carries covenantal weight: Joseph’s explicit naming in Matthew 27:57 participates in this pattern: a name disclosed within a saving plotline invites readers to recognize God’s orchestration of historical details. Witness and Discipleship Joseph’s example instructs believers on: 1. Courageous Identification—He aligns publicly with Jesus when most disciples have fled. Intertextual Echoes • Old Testament precedent: the narrative echoes Ruth 4:17 where naming Obed secures Davidic lineage, highlighting how precise names safeguard redemptive history. Pastoral and Ministry Implications a. Historical Reliability—The specificity of τοὔνομα encourages apologetics grounded in verifiable details. b. Personal Accountability—Believers are challenged to move from anonymity to named, accountable service. c. Legacy Building—Just as Joseph’s name endures through a single decisive act, modern disciples are urged to seize divinely appointed moments that outlast them. Conclusion Though Strong’s 5122 surfaces only once, its appearance at a pivotal moment in salvation history underscores the theological richness of “the name.” By recording Joseph’s name through the contracted τοὔνομα, Matthew testifies to God’s meticulous sovereignty, affirms the factual basis of the Gospel narrative, and summons every reader to bear the name of Jesus with courageous, resourceful devotion. Forms and Transliterations τουνομα τούνομα τοὔνομα tounoma toúnomaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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