ὀθόν-η G3607
linen sheet or cloth, a piece of fine fabric
A cloth made of fine linen, particularly in sheet form. Luke uses it twice in Acts to describe Peter's vision: a great sheet descending from heaven containing all kinds of animals (Acts 10:11, 11:5). The detail is vivid and specific—not just 'something' but a recognizable linen sheet, the corners held as if by invisible hands. The mundane household item becomes the vehicle for revolutionary revelation: the clean-unclean distinction is abolished, Gentiles are welcomed, and Peter's kosher scruples must yield to God's new creation.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A sheet or cloth of fine linen. Classical usage includes fine linen garments, cloths, and (later) sails. Luke's vision uses a common domestic item—the kind of sheet used for bedding or wrapping—making the supernatural descent more concrete and accessible. The choice of linen (not wool or leather) may suggest purity, though that becomes paradoxical when it contains unclean animals. Cross-linguistic uniformity (Spanish 'sábana,' French 'toile,' German retaining Greek) points to a large rectangular cloth. 2×
AR["مُلَاءَةٍ"]·ben["চাদর"]·DE["ὀθόνην"]·EN["sheet"]·FR["toile"]·heb["סָדִין"]·HI["चादर"]·ID["kain"]·IT["tela"]·jav["lawon"]·KO["보자기", "보자기-같은"]·RU["полотно"]·ES["sábana"]·SW["shuka"]·TR["çarşaf"]·urd["چادر"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὀθόν-η, ἡ, fine linen, in Refs 8th c.BC+ always plural, fine linen cloths, Refs 8th c.BC+; of a woman's dress, ἀργεννῇσι καλυψαμένη ὀθόνῃσιν Refs 8th c.BC+: singular, a cloth, NT+2nd c.AD+ __2 later, sails, πνεύσεται εἰς ὀθόνας Refs 1st c.BC+: singular, sail-cloth, sail, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __3 in plural, of the membranes that enclose the pupil of the eye, Refs 5th c.BC+