ἱλαστήριον
hilastērion
Modern Summary of Abbott-Smith’s Lexicon (1922)
The word *hilastērion* primarily refers to something that serves as a means of atonement or reconciliation, often translated as "mercy seat" or "place of propitiation." In biblical contexts, it is used to describe the cover of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament and is later applied metaphorically to Christ in the New Testament as a means of atonement. The term emphasizes the idea of appeasing or reconciling through a designated object or act.
an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple)
The Greek word hilastērion means "an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple)," encompassing related ideas including mercyseat, propitiation.
Lexical data derived from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. See full disclaimer
Word DNA
Origin
This word acts as a root form.
Connection Map
Nearest neighbors in the lexical network.
Compare This Word
Explore how hilastērion relates to similar or contrasting biblical words.
Forgiveness & Atonement Cluster
Words that share the same theological orbit.
Continue Exploring
Follow the thread — discover connected words and concepts.
Did this word study enrich your reading or teaching? Lemmalink is entirely funded by users like you. Help us keep this tool free and open for the global church.