ὁλοκαύτωμα (holokautōma)
holokautōma
burnt offering
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun holokautōma refers to a whole burnt offering, a sacrifice in which the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar. Unlike other offerings where parts were reserved for priests or the offerer, this rite involved the complete destruction of the victim as a gift to God. The term appears only three times in the New Testament, specifically in Mark 12:33 and Hebrews 10:6 and 8.
In these passages, the word translates the Hebrew concept of ‘olah, emphasizing total surrender rather than partial tribute. When Jesus cites this offering in Mark, he highlights its value alongside loving one’s neighbor as oneself. The author of Hebrews uses it to show that God did not desire physical sacrifices themselves, but rather a willing obedience that mirrors the complete dedication symbolized by burning everything on the altar.
Its rarity in the New Testament underscores a shift from ritual law to spiritual reality. By referencing this specific type of sacrifice, the biblical writers point toward the ultimate offering of Christ’s body, which was given completely and without reservation for the sake of others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word holokautōma describes a burnt offering where the entire sacrifice was consumed by fire. In the Old Testament, this act symbolized total surrender to God, leaving nothing back for the offerer or the priests. It was a gesture of complete devotion, distinct from other gifts that retained part of the value for human use.
In the New Testament, this term appears only three times, marking a shift from ritual law to spiritual reality. Jesus cites it in Mark 12:33 to show that loving God and neighbor is more important than any physical sacrifice. The author of Hebrews uses it to explain that God desires willing obedience rather than mere ritual observance.
This concept invites us to consider the depth of our own devotion. It reminds us that true worship involves giving our whole selves, not just parts of our time or resources. By pointing toward Christ’s complete sacrifice, this word encourages a life of full commitment and trust in God’s grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- burnt offerings2×
- Burnt offerings1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁλοκαυτώματα2×
- ὁλοκαυτωμάτων1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:33
and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Jesus places loving God and neighbor above all whole burnt offerings, highlighting that relational devotion outweighs ritual sacrifice.
-
Hebrews 10:6
You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
The author states that God had no pleasure in these physical sacrifices, emphasizing that obedience is what He truly seeks.
-
Hebrews 10:8
Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law),
This verse reiterates that the old system of sacrifices was not the ultimate goal, pointing instead to a deeper spiritual reality.