ἀνάθημα

an offering dedicated by a worshipper

Definition

ἀνάθημα refers to a votive offering, an object dedicated to God and placed in a temple as a visible sign of devotion. In its New Testament usage in Luke 21:5, it describes the temple adornments—gifts of precious metals and artworks—that people had consecrated. The term emphasizes the object's permanent, sacred status as something set apart for divine honor. While closely related to the more common word for 'gift' (δῶρον), ἀνάθημα specifically denotes items formally dedicated and often publicly displayed in a sanctuary.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 21:5, where some disciples remark on the temple's beautiful stones and 'gifts dedicated to God' (ἀναθήμασιν). It is used in a narrative context describing the Jerusalem temple's physical splendor, highlighting the human contributions to its adornment. The singular occurrence suggests it was a precise, technical term for such dedicated offerings, not a general word for gifts.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἀνατίθημι (anatithēmi), meaning 'to set up' or 'dedicate.' It combines ἀνά (ana, 'up') with the root related to 'placing.' The word evolved to signify an object 'set up' or hung in a temple as a votive offering. It is distinct from the similar-sounding ἀνάθεμα (anathema), which means 'accursed,' a differentiation important for avoiding confusion in biblical interpretation.

Semantic Range

This word illuminates the practice of voluntary devotion in Second Temple Judaism, where giving tangible offerings was an act of worship and gratitude. Understanding ἀνάθηma enriches reading of Luke 21:5 by contrasting human dedication of material objects with Jesus' subsequent teaching on the temple's destruction, pointing to the transient nature of even the most sacred physical institutions compared to God's eternal kingdom. It subtly underscores a theme of where true devotion is placed.

In the Greco-Roman and Jewish world, votive offerings (ἀναθήματα) were common in temples. These were gifts—like statues, inscriptions, or precious items—given to a deity in fulfillment of a vow, in thanksgiving, or for purification. They served as public testimonies of piety. In the Jewish context, such gifts adorned the Jerusalem temple, funded by both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, reflecting a shared cultural practice of honoring God through material dedication.

δῶρον (dōron, G1435) — a general term for a gift or present, often used for sacrifices. ἱερόν (hieron, G2411) — refers to the temple precincts or sanctuary as a whole, not the dedicated object itself. προσφορά (prosphora, G4376) — an offering or sacrifice brought to the altar, emphasizing the act of presenting.

Word Details

Scripture References