ἀκρο-θίνιον G0205
The finest portions of plunder dedicated as offerings, firstfruits of spoils
This term denotes the choicest parts of war booty set apart for sacred purposes, literally 'from the top of the heap.' In Hebrews 7:4, Abraham giving tithes from the spoils to Melchizedek illustrates the patriarch's recognition of the priest's superiority. Classical Greek used this for premium firstfruits offered to gods after military victory. The multilingual evidence (Spanish 'despojos', English 'choicest-spoils') captures both the martial context and the quality aspect of these dedicated portions.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The plural form emphasizes select portions from the top of captured goods, consecrated as sacred offerings. Ancient practice involved dedicating the best spoils to deity as thanksgiving for victory. Abraham's gift of these prime portions to Melchizedek demonstrates the priest-king's exceptional status, since receiving such offerings typically indicated divine authority. This sets up the argument that Melchizedek's priesthood surpasses the Levitical order. 1×
AR["الغَنَائِمِ"]·ben["শ্রেষ্ঠ-লুটের"]·DE["Erstlinge-der-Beute"]·EN["choicest-spoils"]·FR["Erstlinge-der-Beute"]·heb["רֵאשִׁית-הַשָּׁלָל"]·HI["श्रेष्ठ,"]·ID["rampasan-terbaik"]·IT["akrothiniōn"]·jav["jarahan"]·KO["전리품의"]·PT["despojos"]·RU["лучшего"]·ES["despojos"]·SW["mali-ya-vita"]·TR["ganimetlerin-en-iyilerinden"]·urd["بہترین-مال-غنیمت-سے"]
Related Senses
H5414 1. give, bestow (1855×)H3947 1. take, seize, grasp (Qal) (940×)G2192 1. possess / have (680×)G1325 1. give, bestow (336×)H5159 1. inherited land or property (170×)G2983 1. receive, obtain (134×)H3423 1. Qal: take possession of land (130×)G2983 2. take, take up (113×)G2398 1. one's own, belonging to oneself (91×)G3860 1. hand over, deliver to custody (78×)H7998 1. spoil, plunder, booty (74×)G1325 2. be given, be granted (70×)H5414 2. put, place, set (68×)H7999a 1. pay, repay, recompense (63×)H7069 1. Buy, purchase (59×)H1892 1. vanity, futility, absurdity (58×)H5159 2. heritage as covenant portion (52×)H6299 1. redeem or ransom (Qal active) (49×)H4376 1. Sell (Qal active) (47×)H1350a 1. Redeem, buy back (46×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀκρο-θίνιον [θῑ], τό, Refs 5th c.BC+; mostly plural ἀκρο-θίνια or ἀκρό-θῑνα, Refs 5th c.BC+: singularἄκρο-θις, ἡ, accusative -θιναRefs 4th c.BC+: (ἄκρος, θίς):—topmost or best part of heap; hence, firstfruits of the field, booty, etc., offered to the gods, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἀκρόθινα πολέμου, in Refs 5th c.BC+, of the Olympic games, as founded from spoils taken in war, compare Refs.—Properly neuter adjective, Refs 4th c.BC+ offerings of firstfruits. Post-Refs 8th c.BC+