θήκη (thēkē)
thēkē
sheath
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thēkē refers to a container or receptacle where an object is stored. In classical usage it could mean any chest or box, but in the New Testament it appears only once, with a very specific meaning: the sheath of a sword.
This single occurrence is found in John 18:11, when Jesus tells Peter to put his sword back into its thēkē. The word highlights the physical reality of the weapon and the deliberate act of returning it to its proper place. It underscores that the moment of violence was being actively reversed.
The term comes from a root meaning "to lay away" or "to deposit." This etymology reinforces the idea of secure storage rather than just a passive holder. By using this specific word for a sword case, the text emphasizes order and restraint at a critical juncture in the narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thēkē, meaning a sheath or scabbard, appears just once in the New Testament. In John 18:11, Jesus instructs Peter to return his sword to its sheath. This simple command carries deep weight. It shows that Jesus was not helpless; He chose restraint over violence, accepting the path laid out by the Father.
For your faith life, this offers a quiet strength. You may face moments where reacting with anger or force feels natural. Yet Jesus models a different way: trusting God’s timing and purpose even when circumstances are tense. The sheath represents order, peace, and submission to divine will.
This image invites you to consider where you might need to “sheath” your own weapons — pride, defensiveness, or control. It is not weakness to lay down your sword when God calls for peace. Instead, it is an act of courage and faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sheath.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θήκην.1×
Key Verses
-
John 18:11
Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
This verse uniquely uses thēkē to show Jesus’ deliberate choice to reject violence and accept the Father’s plan.