"can be masculine, feminine (2x), or neuter (ἀλάβαστρον, 2x), an alabaster vase, Mk. 14:3 (2x); 26:7; Lk. 7:37*"
Definition and meaning
can be masculine, feminine (2x), or neuter (ἀλάβαστρον, 2x), an alabaster vase, Mk. 14:3 (2x); 26:7; Lk. 7:37*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀλάβαστρος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of alabastros (G211) across the King James Bible.
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
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Common questions
Strong's G211 (alabastros) is a Greek word that means: can be masculine, feminine (2x), or neuter (ἀλάβαστρον, 2x), an alabaster vase, Mk. 14:3 (2x); 26:7; Lk. 7:37* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word alabastros (G211) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G211 is alabastros, a Greek word defined as: can be masculine, feminine (2x), or neuter (ἀλάβαστρον, 2x), an alabaster vase, Mk. 14:3 (2x); 26:7; Lk. 7:37*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
alabastros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.