μνημόσυνον
reminder, memorial, remembrance offering
Definition
μνημόσυνον refers to a tangible or spoken reminder that preserves the memory of a person or event. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes a 'memorial' or 'remembrance' that brings something to mind. In Matthew 26:13 and Mark 14:9, it describes the story of the woman anointing Jesus, which will be told as a lasting memorial of her act. In Acts 10:4, it takes on a sacrificial nuance, referring to Cornelius's prayers and alms ascending to God as a 'memorial offering' that secures divine attention.
Biblical Usage
This word is used three times in the New Testament, always in significant narrative contexts. In the Gospels (Matthew 26:13, Mark 14:9), it refers to the perpetual oral remembrance of a faithful deed. In Acts 10:4, it describes pious acts (prayers and alms) presented before God in a manner reminiscent of Old Testament offerings. The usage shifts from a human act of remembrance to a divine acknowledgment of human devotion.
Etymology
Derived from the root μνήμη (mnēmē, 'memory' or 'remembrance') and related to the verb μιμνήσκω (mimnēskō, 'to remind' or 'remember'). It is a noun built on the concept of causing something to be remembered, emphasizing an active, enduring quality of memory rather than a passive recollection.
Semantic Range
This word connects human acts of devotion to God's remembrance. In Acts 10:4, it shows how God notices and values sincere piety, bridging the Old Testament concept of memorial offerings (e.g., Leviticus 2:2) with the New Testament era. In the Gospels, it highlights how Jesus honors and eternalizes faithful service, assuring believers that their deeds for Christ are not forgotten by God.
In the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, creating a 'memorial' was crucial for preserving honor and legacy. In Jewish ritual, a 'memorial portion' of a grain offering (Leviticus 2:2, 9, 16) was a tangible act meant to bring the worshipper to God's remembrance. The New Testament usage draws on this sacrificial imagery, applying it to prayers, alms, and the proclamation of the gospel.
ὑπόμνησις (hypomnēsis, G5280) — a reminder or recollection, often more general. ἀνάμνησις (anamnēsis, G364) — a remembrance or recollection, used for the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). μνημοσύνη (mnēmosynē, G3421) — a near synonym, meaning memory or remembrance.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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