ἐγκαίνια (egkainia)
egkainia
Feast|Festival of Dedication
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun egkainia refers to the Feast of Dedication, an annual Jewish festival commemorating the cleansing and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. This event was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 BC after the temple had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes. The name literally means "renewals" or "dedications," reflecting the restoration of sacred worship to its proper place.
In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in John 10:22. Here it identifies the time when Jesus was walking in Solomon’s Colonnade during the winter festival. The sources note that this celebration began on the twenty-fifth day of Chislev, which typically falls in mid-December. By mentioning this specific historical observance, the Gospel writer grounds Jesus’ ministry in a concrete moment of Jewish religious life.
Translators usually render egkainia as "Feast of Dedication" or simply "Dedication." This choice highlights the historical context rather than treating it as a generic holiday. The word captures a specific act of thanksgiving and re-consecration, marking a pivotal moment in Jewish history when religious freedom was restored after persecution.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egkainia points to a time of renewal and fresh beginnings. In Jewish history, it marked the rededication of the Temple after years of desecration, a moment when worship was restored and hope returned to a weary people. This festival reminds us that God values purity in His house and honors those who seek to keep their hearts aligned with Him.
In John 10:22, Jesus is present during this celebration at Jerusalem. He walks among the people in Solomon’s Colonnade, not as an outsider, but as the one who fulfills the true meaning of dedication. While the festival recalled a physical restoration, Jesus reveals Himself as the ultimate Temple where God dwells with humanity. This connection invites us to see our own lives as places where His presence is welcomed and honored.
For your faith, this word offers a gentle encouragement: renewal is always possible. Just as the Temple was cleansed and rededicated, your heart can be turned back to God in sincerity. You do not need to achieve perfection to begin again; you only need to invite Him into the space He desires to fill.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Feast of Dedication1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγκαίνια1×
Key Verses
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John 10:22
It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.
This verse grounds Jesus' ministry in a specific historical moment of Jewish restoration, highlighting His presence during a festival centered on rededication and divine protection.