κειρία

a bandage, grave clothes

Definition

Κειρία refers to a bandage, strip of cloth, or binding, specifically used to wrap or bind something. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in the context of grave clothes—the linen strips used to wrap a corpse for burial. The word appears only in John 11:44, describing the cloths that bound Lazarus's hands and feet when he was raised from the dead. While its basic sense is a generic bandage, its sole biblical usage gives it the specific connotation of burial wrappings.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in John 11:44. It describes the 'grave clothes' or burial strips that bound Lazarus after his resurrection. The context is singular and vivid: Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb, and the man emerges still wrapped in these κειρίαι, requiring others to 'loose him, and let him go.' This usage highlights the tangible, physical reality of death and resurrection in the narrative.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb κείρω (keirō), meaning 'to cut' or 'to shear.' Thus, κειρία essentially means 'something cut'—likely referring to strips of cloth cut from a larger piece. This root connects to the practical manufacture of bandages or bindings from linen or other materials.

Semantic Range

Though a simple noun, κειρία carries theological weight in its sole appearance. In John 11:44, the grave clothes symbolize the binding power of death, which Jesus has authority to overcome. Their presence underscores the reality of Lazarus's physical death, making his resurrection a powerful sign of Jesus as 'the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25). Understanding this term enriches the reading by highlighting the concrete, miraculous transformation from death to life.

In first-century Jewish burial practice, bodies were typically washed, anointed with spices, and wrapped in linen strips (κειρίαι). This method preserved dignity and hygiene. The use of such bindings differs from modern embalming or coffins, emphasizing a wrapped, prepared corpse. In John 11:44, Lazarus's condition—bound hand and foot—would have been immediately recognizable to ancient readers as a corpse emerging from a tomb, amplifying the miracle's shock value.

σουδάριον (soudarion, G4676) — a face cloth or napkin, also used in burial contexts (John 11:44, John 20:7). ὀθόνιον (othonion, G3608) — linen cloths or wrappings, used for Jesus' burial garments (Luke 24:12, John 19:40).

Word Details

Scripture References