μνῆμα (mnēma)
mnēma
tomb
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word mnēma refers to a tomb or sepulchre, derived from a root meaning "to remember." While it literally denotes a place for the dead, its etymological link to memory adds a layer of significance: these structures serve as memorials that keep the deceased present in the minds of the living. In the New Testament, this term appears eight times, primarily in the Gospels of Luke and Mark, as well as in Acts.
Translators typically render mnēma as "tomb," distinguishing it from mneimonion, which is a more general monument. The sources highlight its use in specific narrative contexts, such as Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb for Jesus (Luke 23:53) or the description of Peter’s ancestors’ resting places (Acts 7:16). By using this term, the texts emphasize the physical reality of burial and the tangible connection between the past generation and those who maintain their memory.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mnēma refers to a physical tomb, but its root meaning connects deeply with memory. These stone structures were not just places of burial; they served as memorials that kept the deceased present in the minds of those who remained. When the Gospel writers use this term, they emphasize the tangible reality of death and the enduring bond between generations.
Consider the account in Luke 23:53, where Jesus is laid in a new tomb cut from stone. This setting highlights the finality of His death before the resurrection. Yet, even in these quiet places of rest, there is a promise that memory does not have to end in silence. The physical reality of the grave meets the spiritual hope of God’s faithfulness.
This connection between burial and remembrance invites us to reflect on how we honor those who have gone before us. It reminds us that our stories are part of a larger narrative, one where God preserves His people through every season. We can find comfort in knowing that our lives, like the tombs of old, leave a lasting impression on the world and on God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tomb3×
- tombs.2×
- tombs1×
- a tomb.1×
- a tomb1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μνῆμα2×
- μνήματι2×
- μνήμασιν.2×
- μνῆμα.1×
- μνήμασιν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 23:53
He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.
This verse highlights the physical reality of Jesus' burial in a new, untouched tomb, underscoring the authenticity of His death before the resurrection.
-
Acts 2:29
“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Peter uses this term to point to David's enduring tomb as proof that the patriarch died and was buried, grounding his argument in historical fact.
-
Mark 5:3
He lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains,
The description of a man living in tombs illustrates the extreme isolation and brokenness associated with these places of the dead in Jewish culture.