909. baptismos

Lexicon

baptismos: Baptism, washing

Original Word: βαπτισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: baptismos
Pronunciation: bap-tis-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (bap-tis-mos')
Definition: Baptism, washing
Meaning: dipping, washing (of a ceremonial character).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

baptism, washing.

From baptizo; ablution (ceremonial or Christian) -- baptism, washing.

see GREEK baptizo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 909 baptismós – properly, submergings (always in the plural in the NT); (figuratively) ceremonial washings (Mk 7:4; Heb 9:10) or the profound realities of spiritual and water baptism (Heb 6:2). See 907 (baptizō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from baptizó
Definition
(the act of) a dipping or washing
NASB Translation
washing (1), washings (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 909: βαπτισμός

βαπτισμός, βαπτισμου, ὁ (βαπτίζω), a washing, purification effected by means of water: Mark 7:4, 8 (R G L Tr in brackets) (ξεστῶν καί ποτηρίων); of the washings prescribed by the Mosaic law, Hebrews 9:10. βαπτισμῶν διδαχῆς equivalent to διδαχῆς περί βαπτισμῶν, Hebrews 6:2 (where L text, WH text, βαπτισμῶν διδαχῆς), which seems to mean an exposition of the difference between the washings prescribed by the Mosaic law and Christian baptism. (Among secular writings Josephus alone, Antiquities 18, 5, 2, uses the word, and of John's baptism; (respecting its interchange with βάπτισμα cf. examples in Sophocles Lexicon, under the word 2 and Lightfoot on Colossians 2:12, where L marginal reading Tr read βαπτισμός; cf. Trench, § xcix.).)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb βαπτίζω (baptízō), meaning "to dip, immerse, or submerge."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for βαπτισμός, related concepts of washing and purification can be found in Hebrew terms such as טָבַל (tabal, Strong's 2881), meaning "to dip" or "to immerse," and רָחַץ (rachats, Strong's 7364), meaning "to wash" or "to cleanse." These terms are used in the Old Testament to describe various purification rituals and practices.

Usage: In the New Testament, βαπτισμός is used to describe various forms of washing or purification, including both Jewish ceremonial washings and Christian baptism. It appears in contexts that emphasize the symbolic and spiritual significance of cleansing.

Context: The term βαπτισμός is found in several New Testament passages, where it is used to describe both Jewish and Christian practices of purification. In Mark 7:4, it refers to the Jewish tradition of washing cups, pitchers, and kettles as part of ritual purification. The passage highlights the Pharisees' emphasis on external cleanliness: "And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions they observe, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and dining couches."

In Hebrews 6:2, βαπτισμός is mentioned in the context of foundational Christian teachings: "instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." Here, the plural form "baptisms" suggests a broader understanding of the term, encompassing various aspects of Christian initiation and purification.

Hebrews 9:10 further illustrates the use of βαπτισμός in describing Old Testament ceremonial practices: "They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform." This passage contrasts the temporary and external nature of these rituals with the internal and eternal cleansing brought by Christ.

Theologically, βαπτισμός in the New Testament underscores the transition from the Old Covenant's external rituals to the New Covenant's internal transformation. Christian baptism, as a form of βαπτισμός, symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking a spiritual cleansing and new life in Him.

Forms and Transliterations

βαπτισμοις βαπτισμοίς βαπτισμοῖς βαπτισμους βαπτισμούς βαπτισμοὺς βαπτισμων βαπτισμών βαπτισμῶν baptismois baptismoîs baptismon baptismôn baptismōn baptismō̂n baptismous baptismoùs

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 7:4 N-AMP
GRK: παρέλαβον κρατεῖν βαπτισμοὺς ποτηρίων καὶ
NAS: in order to observe, such as the washing of cups
KJV: to hold, [as] the washing of cups,
INT: they received to hold washings of cups and

Mark 7:8 Noun-AMP
GRK: τῶν ἀνθρώπων βαπτισμοὺς ξεστῶν καὶ
KJV: of men, [as] the washing of pots
INT: of men the washings of vessels and

Colossians 2:12 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν τῷ βαπτισμῷ ἐν ᾧ
INT: in baptism in which

Hebrews 6:2 N-GMP
GRK: βαπτισμῶν διδαχῆς ἐπιθέσεώς
NAS: of instruction about washings and laying
KJV: Of the doctrine of baptisms, and
INT: about washings of instruction of laying on

Hebrews 9:10 N-DMP
GRK: καὶ διαφόροις βαπτισμοῖς δικαιώματα σαρκὸς
NAS: and various washings, regulations
KJV: and divers washings, and carnal
INT: and various washings ordinances of flesh

Strong's Greek 909
5 Occurrences

βαπτισμῷ — 1 Occ.
βαπτισμῶν — 1 Occ.
βαπτισμοῖς — 1 Occ.
βαπτισμοὺς — 2 Occ.