ὀθόνη (othonē)
othonē
sheet
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun othonē refers to a piece of fine linen, typically translated as "sheet" or "cloth." In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the book of Acts, where it describes the large white fabric used in Peter’s vision. Rather than clothing, these instances highlight a substantial textile, likely heavy enough to be spread out or suspended.
Its meaning extends beyond simple bedding. Lexical sources note that the word can also denote a sail, reflecting its use for strong, woven linen suitable for maritime purposes. This dual possibility suggests a material valued for both purity and durability, fitting for the dramatic visual of a sheet lowered from heaven in Acts 10:11.
Etymologically, the term likely has Semitic roots, possibly linked to Hebrew words for yarn or fine thread. This origin underscores its status as a high-quality import rather than common rough cloth. The specific choice of othonē emphasizes the tangible, physical nature of the vision, grounding spiritual revelation in everyday objects familiar to first-century audiences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word othonē describes a large linen sheet, an ordinary item of daily life that becomes the vessel for divine instruction in Acts 10 and 11. Peter sees this heavy fabric lowered from heaven, carrying animals that Jewish law deemed unclean. This visual challenge breaks down barriers between people who had been kept apart by strict cultural rules.
For your faith today, this image reminds us that God often uses the familiar to reveal new truths. The sheet was not a symbol of ritual purity but a tool for expansion. It invites you to trust that God is at work in unexpected places, opening doors where human logic sees only walls. His grace reaches beyond our preconceived boundaries.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a sheet2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀθόνην2×
Key Verses
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Acts 10:11
He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
This verse establishes the sheet as a tangible container descending from heaven, grounding Peter's spiritual vision in a physical object he would recognize from daily life.
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Acts 11:5
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.
Peter recounts this moment to explain how God directly intervened to show him that the gospel message was intended for Gentiles as well as Jews.