σανδάλιον
a sandal
Definition
A σανδάλιον is a simple, open-toed sandal, the common footwear of the ancient Mediterranean world. It consisted of a sole, typically made of leather or wood, fastened to the foot with straps or thongs. In the New Testament, it is the footwear Jesus instructs his disciples to wear on their mission (Mark 6:9) and what Peter is told to put on during his miraculous escape from prison (Acts 12:8). The term consistently refers to this basic, functional item, with no distinct metaphorical or specialized meanings in its biblical occurrences.
Biblical Usage
The word σανδάλιον is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in straightforward, literal contexts involving preparation for travel. In Mark 6:9, Jesus commands the Twelve not to take extra provisions, specifying they should wear sandals as part of their basic, trusting attire for their missionary journey. In Acts 12:8, an angel instructs the imprisoned Peter to gird himself and bind on his sandals as part of the urgent preparations for his escape. Both uses emphasize readiness and mobility with minimal possessions.
Etymology
The word σανδάλιον (sandalion) is a diminutive form derived from the Greek σάνδαλον (sandalon), which itself is a loanword, likely from a Near Eastern source. It is the direct ancestor of the English word 'sandal.' The diminutive form may imply a specific, common type of sandal as opposed to other forms of footwear.
Semantic Range
Sandals were the standard footwear for ordinary people, travelers, and soldiers in the Greco-Roman world. They were inexpensive, practical, and symbolized readiness for a journey or work. In contrast, going barefoot often indicated mourning, poverty, or being a slave. The act of removing sandals could signify respect for holy ground (as seen with Moses in Exodus 3:5), a cultural concept familiar to New Testament readers. Jesus's instruction to wear them (Mark 6:9) contrasts with John the Baptist's statement about being unworthy to untie the sandals of the coming Messiah (Mark 1:7), highlighting the sandal's role in imagery of servitude and readiness.
ὑπόδημα (hypodēma, G5266) — A more general term for 'footwear' or 'shoe,' which can include sandals but is a broader category.
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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