Greek word · G3012

λέντιον

lention

towel

A linen cloth or towel, from Latin linteum. It could be long enough to tie around the waist as an apron.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

λέντιον, -ου, τό (Lat. linteum),

a linen cloth, towel: John 13:4-5.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of John 13:5

Range of meaning

A linen cloth or towel, from Latin linteum. It could be long enough to tie around the waist as an apron.

Against the English

'Towel' is right, though a modern reader may picture a thick cotton bath towel. This was a strip of linen that could be worn as well as used for drying. The Latin Vulgate's 'linteo' is the very word the Greek borrowed.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it appears only in John 13:4–5. Latin loanwords of this kind were common in the everyday Greek of the Roman East, and lexicons such as BDAG record it in papyri and later Greek.

From the study of John 13:4

Range of meaning

A linen cloth: a towel, or an apron worn by servants and attendants.

Against the English

'Towel' is accurate. A modern reader may picture a fluffy bath towel. This was a long strip of linen that could be tied on and worn.

Used elsewhere in the period

A Greek borrowing of the Latin linteum. The Vulgate here reads linteum. BDAG and Moulton–Milligan record it in Roman-period Greek documents. In the New Testament it appears only here and in 13:5.

Where it appears

John · 2

  1. John 13:4 λέντιον a towel

    So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.

    Here: A word borrowed from Latin (linteum, 'linen cloth'): a long linen cloth used as an apron or towel. It was long enough to tie around the waist and still use for drying feet (13:5). This is the working cloth of a household servant.

  2. John 13:5 λεντίῳ towel

    After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.

    Here: A linen cloth, a word borrowed from Latin linteum. It was long enough to tie around the waist and was used as a towel or apron. In the New Testament it appears only in vv. 4–5.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.