τοὔνομα (tounoma)
tounoma
by name
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word tounoma is a contracted form of the Greek phrase for "the name," functioning as an adverb meaning "by name." It appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 27:57. In this context, it identifies Joseph of Arimathea not just as a follower, but as one who was known and recognized by his specific personal identity.
Its usage is straightforward and descriptive rather than theological. The contraction reflects the natural flow of spoken Greek, where articles and nouns often merge. By specifying that he acted "by name," the text emphasizes his individual standing among the disciples at a moment when many others had fled.
This single occurrence highlights how personal identity matters in the Gospel narrative. Even in the shadow of the crucifixion, individuals are remembered by their names, underscoring the value placed on personal recognition within the Christian witness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek phrase τοὔνομα appears just once in the New Testament, in Matthew 27:57. It is a contracted form meaning "by name," used to introduce Joseph of Arimathea. This small grammatical detail highlights that God knows people individually. Even in the shadow of the cross, when most disciples had fled, Joseph was known by his specific identity.
This reminds us that our personal story matters to God. He does not see us as a crowd but as individuals with distinct names and roles. When you read this verse, notice how the text takes time to identify Joseph clearly. It shows that faithfulness is often quiet and personal, yet deeply seen by Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- named1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τοὔνομα1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:57
When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.
The contracted phrase identifies Joseph of Arimathea specifically, emphasizing his recognized identity as a disciple at a critical moment.