902. baion

Lexicon

baion: Palm branch

Original Word: βάϊον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: baion
Pronunciation: bah'-ee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (bah-ee'-on)
Definition: Palm branch
Meaning: a palm branch.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

palm branch

A diminutive of a derivative probably of the base of basis; a palm twig (as going out far) -- branch.

see GREEK basis

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Eg. origin
Definition
a palm branch
NASB Translation
branches (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 902: βάϊον

βάϊον (others also βάϊον (or even βάϊον, Chandler edition 1, p. 272); on its derivation (from the Egyptian) cf. Stephanus' Thesaurus under the word βάϊς), βαιου, τό, a palm-branch; with τῶν φονικων added (so Test xii. Patr. test. Naph. § 5) (after the fashion of οἰκοδεσπότης τῆς οἰκίας, ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν (cf. Winer's Grammar, 603 (561))), John 12:13. (A Biblical and ecclesiastical word: 1 Macc. 13:51; Song of Solomon 7:8 Symm.; Leviticus 23:40 unknown translation. In the Greek church Palm-Sunday is called ἡ κυριακῇ τῶν βαΐων. Cf. Fischer, De vitiis Lexicons of the N. T., p. 18ff; (Sturz, Dial. Maced. etc., p. 88f; especially Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word).)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word for "palm branch."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of palm branches is תָּמָר (tamar), Strong's Hebrew 8558, which refers to the palm tree itself. Another related term is כַּפּוֹת תְּמָרִים (kappot temarim), found in Leviticus 23:40, referring to the "branches of palm trees" used during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Usage: The term βάϊον is used in the New Testament to describe the palm branches that were spread before Jesus during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Context: The Greek term βάϊον appears in the context of the New Testament narrative describing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event commemorated in Christian tradition as Palm Sunday. This event is recorded in the Gospels, where the crowds welcomed Jesus by spreading palm branches along His path as a sign of honor and victory. The use of palm branches was a customary practice in ancient Jewish culture, symbolizing triumph and celebration.

In the Gospel of John, the term βάϊον is specifically mentioned: "They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the King of Israel!'" (John 12:13, BSB). This act of laying down palm branches was a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, which speaks of the coming of a king who would bring salvation.

The symbolism of the palm branch extends beyond the immediate context of the triumphal entry. In the ancient Near East, palm branches were often associated with victory, peace, and eternal life. In the book of Revelation, palm branches are again mentioned, where a great multitude from every nation stands before the throne and before the Lamb, holding palm branches in their hands (Revelation 7:9). This imagery reinforces the theme of victory and eternal worship in the presence of God.

Forms and Transliterations

βαια βαϊα βαΐα βακτηρία βακτηρίαι βακτηρίαν βακτηρίας baia baḯa

Englishman's Concordance

John 12:13 N-ANP
GRK: ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων
NAS: took the branches of the palm trees
KJV: Took branches of palm trees, and
INT: took the branches of the palms

Strong's Greek 902
1 Occurrence

βαΐα — 1 Occ.