θάπτω

I bury

Definition

θάπτω means 'to bury' in the literal, physical sense of interring a dead body. This is its primary and almost exclusive meaning in the New Testament, as seen in passages like Matthew 8:21-22 and Luke 9:59-60, where a disciple asks to first bury his father. The word can also carry the connotation of performing the full, proper rites of burial, which in the ancient world was a sacred duty. In Acts 5:6, the young men 'buried' Ananias, demonstrating the immediate and solemn handling of his body. The metaphorical use of 'burying' (e.g., burying a talent) common in English is not found for this specific Greek word in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

θάπτω is used 11 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Acts. It consistently describes the physical act of burying a corpse. Its usage often appears in narratives surrounding death and discipleship. Key examples include the story of John the Baptist's disciples burying his body (Matthew 14:12), the rich man who dies and is buried (Luke 16:22), and the burial of the patriarchs, as referenced by Peter in Acts 2:29. The command of Jesus in Matthew 8:22 ('let the dead bury their own dead') uses the word to create a stark contrast between physical and spiritual priorities.

Etymology

The verb θάπτω is a primary Greek word of ancient origin, related to the noun τάφος (taphos, G5028), meaning 'tomb' or 'burial.' It is cognate with words in other Indo-European languages relating to graves and burial mounds. Its meaning remained stable and specific throughout classical and Koine Greek, consistently denoting the act of interment.

Semantic Range

θάπτω is theologically significant as it touches on the humanity of Jesus, the reality of death, and the cultural duty of burial. Jesus' own burial (described with this word's cognate, ἐντάφιασμος) confirms his true death, which is essential for the resurrection. His command in Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60 radically subordinates even this sacred familial and cultural obligation to the urgent call of the kingdom of God. Understanding this word highlights the weight of burial in the biblical world and the shocking nature of Jesus' call to prioritize discipleship above all else.

In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, providing a proper burial was one of the most important religious and familial duties. To leave a body unburied was considered a profound dishonor and desecration. Burial rites were performed swiftly, usually on the day of death. This context makes Jesus' command to 'let the dead bury their own dead' (Matthew 8:22) extraordinarily radical, as it seemingly instructed a follower to violate a core social and religious obligation for the sake of following him.

ἐντάφιάζω (entaphiazō, G1779) — to prepare a body for burial, to embalm (used in John 19:40 for Jesus). συνθάπτω (synthaptō, G4916) — to bury with; used metaphorically in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 for being buried with Christ in baptism.

Word Details

Scripture References