"(Aramaic) sabacthani, you have forsaken me; interrogatively, have you forsaken me? preceded with λαμᾶ, Why? Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34*"
Definition and meaning
(Aramaic) sabacthani, you have forsaken me; interrogatively, have you forsaken me? preceded with λαμᾶ, Why? Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34*
In the original Greek the word is written: σαβαχθάνι
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 sabachthani (G4518) across the King James Bible.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
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Common questions
Strong's G4518 (sabachthani) is a Greek word that means: (Aramaic) sabacthani, you have forsaken me; interrogatively, have you forsaken me? preceded with λαμᾶ, Why? Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word sabachthani (G4518) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4518 is sabachthani, a Greek word defined as: (Aramaic) sabacthani, you have forsaken me; interrogatively, have you forsaken me? preceded with λαμᾶ, Why? Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sabachthani is a Greek word found in the New Testament.