μαρτύριον G3142
Testimony, witness, proof; evidence given or a declaration that attests to truth, including the tabernacle of testimony.
This noun carries the dual force of 'proof' and 'public declaration.' In the Gospels it often appears in the phrase 'for a testimony to them' (Matt 8:4; Mark 1:44), where an act of obedience becomes living evidence. Jesus warns that his followers will be dragged before governors and kings 'as a testimony' (Matt 10:18; Mark 6:11). Paul speaks of the gospel of the kingdom being proclaimed 'as a testimony to all nations' (Matt 24:14). The term also echoes the Old Testament 'tabernacle of testimony' (Acts 7:44), linking it to the covenant tablets. German 'Zeugnis' and French 'temoignage' preserve the forensic and declarative overtones alike.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Testimony or witness—a declaration, act, or evidence that attests to truth. Used both of the gospel proclaimed to the nations as public evidence (Matt 24:14) and of actions performed 'for a testimony to them' (Matt 8:4; Mark 1:44; Mark 6:11). Also carries the OT echo of the 'tabernacle of testimony' (Acts 7:44), referring to the covenant tablets. The Spanish 'testimonio,' French 'temoignage,' and German 'Zeugnis' all preserve the forensic weight of the term—something placed on record for others to consider. 20×
AR["الشَّهَادَةَ", "شَهادَةً", "شَهادَةٍ", "شَهادَةَ", "شَهادَةُ", "شَهادَةِ", "شَهَادَةً", "شَهَادَةٍ", "شَهَادَةِ"]·ben["সাক্ষ্য", "সাক্ষ্যরূপে", "সাক্ষ্যস্বরূপ", "সাক্ষ্যে", "সাক্ষ্যের", "সাক্ষ্যের-জন্য"]·DE["Zeugnis", "μαρτυρίου", "μαρτύριον"]·EN["a-testimony", "testimony"]·FR["témoignage"]·heb["הָעֵדוּת", "עֵדוּת"]·HI["-प्रभु-के", "गवअहि", "गवाही", "मूसा-ने", "सकशि"]·ID["kesaksian"]·IT["testimonianza"]·jav["kaseksen.", "paseksen", "paseksi", "paseksèn"]·KO["사도들-이", "증거", "증거-로", "증거-를", "증거-의", "증거가", "증거로", "증거를"]·PT["testemunho"]·RU["свидетельства", "свидетельство"]·ES["testimonio"]·SW["kwa-wote", "ushahidi", "ushuhuda"]·TR["Mesih'in-", "o-", "tanıklık", "tanıklık-olarak", "tanıklığa", "tanıklığı", "tanıklığımız", "tanıklığın", "tanıklığından", "tanıklığını", "vicdanmızın-", "şahitlik", "şehadetin"]·urd["شہادت-کے", "گواہی"]
Matt 8:4, Matt 10:18, Matt 24:14, Mark 1:44, Mark 6:11, Mark 13:9, Luke 5:14, Luke 9:5, Luke 21:13, Acts 4:33, Acts 7:44, 1 Cor 1:6 (+8 more)
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μαρτύριον [ῠ], τό, testimony, proof, πρῶτον καὶ μέγιστον μ. Refs 5th c.BC+; μαρτύριον δέ.., followed by γάρ, here is a proof, namely.., Refs, etc.; μέγα τόδε μ.,.. γάρ Refs 5th c.BC+ __II τὰ μ. the tables of the Decalogue, LXX __III shrine of a martyr, Refs 6th c.AD+