αἱματεκχυσία

a shedding or pouring forth of blood

Definition

αἱματεκχυσία refers specifically to the act of shedding or pouring out blood, particularly in the context of ritual sacrifice. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in Hebrews 9:22, where it denotes the necessary bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins under the Mosaic law. The term carries a strong sacrificial and atoning connotation, linking the physical act of bloodletting to the spiritual concept of purification and remission. This singular biblical usage anchors the word firmly in the theology of atonement through sacrifice.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 9:22: 'Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood (αἱματεκχυσίας) there is no forgiveness of sins.' Its usage is highly specific, found in the theological argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which contrasts the old covenant's sacrificial system with Christ's superior, once-for-all sacrifice. The context is entirely cultic and doctrinal, emphasizing the necessity of blood in the process of atonement.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words αἷμα (haima, G129), meaning 'blood,' and ἐκχύννω/ἐκχέω (ekchynnō/ekcheō, G1632), meaning 'to pour out' or 'to shed.' It is a compound noun literally meaning 'a pouring out of blood.' The formation emphasizes the violent, effusive nature of the act, distinguishing it from mere bleeding. Cognates and related terms focus on the flow or shedding of liquids, particularly blood in a sacrificial context.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically central to understanding the biblical concept of atonement. It underscores the principle that forgiveness under the old covenant was inseparably linked to sacrificial death and the shedding of blood, a principle fulfilled ultimately in the death of Christ (Hebrews 9:12-14). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the intentional, graphic language used to communicate the cost of sin and the necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice, providing a crucial backdrop for appreciating Christ's work on the cross.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, blood was not merely a biological fluid but carried profound symbolic weight, representing life itself (Leviticus 17:11). The shedding of blood in sacrifice was a serious, ritual act understood as transferring life to deal with sin and restore relationship with the divine. The modern, clinical understanding of blood differs significantly from this ancient view of blood as the sacred seat of life and a required medium for atonement.

αἷμα (haima, G129) — The general word for 'blood,' while αἱματεκχυσία specifies the act of shedding it. σφαγή (sphagē, G4967) — Often means 'slaughter' or 'slaying,' with a broader application than the focused, ritual pouring out denoted by αἱματεκχυσία.

Word Details

Scripture References