ἐνταφιασμός (entaphiasmos)
entaphiasmos
burial
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun entaphiasmos refers specifically to the preparation of a body for burial, encompassing the acts of wrapping and anointing rather than just the interment itself. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within the narrative of Mary’s act of devotion: once in Mark 14:8 and again in John 12:7. Jesus uses these instances to highlight that her pouring of costly perfume serves as a premature but fitting preparation for His own impending death.
The word derives from the verb entaphiazō, meaning "to embalm" or "to prepare for burial." This etymology underscores the physical care and ritual respect involved in the process. By linking Mary’s gesture directly to this technical term for burial rites, the Gospels frame her action not merely as an expression of love, but as a prophetic acknowledgment of the reality of the cross that was about to unfold.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word entaphiasmos points to the careful preparation of a body for burial, involving wrapping and anointing rather than just the final resting place. In the Gospels, this specific term appears only twice, both times describing Mary’s act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus. She did not know that His death was imminent, yet her gesture became a profound act of devotion.
Jesus interpreted her action as preparing His body for burial ahead of time. This shows how God can use ordinary moments of love to highlight deeper spiritual truths. Her willingness to give something valuable reflects a heart attuned to the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice. It invites us to consider how our own acts of generosity might point others to the reality of the cross.
When we encounter this word, we see that devotion is not always about understanding every detail of God’s plan. Sometimes it is simply about offering what we have with a willing heart. This story reminds us that even small acts of love can carry significant meaning in God’s eyes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- burial.1×
- burial1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνταφιασμόν.1×
- ἐνταφιασμοῦ1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 14:8
She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Jesus uses this term to validate Mary's action as a necessary preparation for His death, showing that her devotion had prophetic significance beyond her immediate understanding.
-
John 12:7
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
The Gospel writer highlights that Jesus explicitly connected her keeping of the perfume to the specific day of His burial, emphasizing the timing and purpose of her gift.