σπόγγος G4699
a sponge; a porous, absorbent marine organism used for cleaning or soaking up liquids
The ordinary Greek word for sponge—a porous sea creature harvested and used for cleaning, bathing, and other tasks requiring absorption. In the NT it appears three times, all at the crucifixion: soldiers fill a sponge with sour wine and lift it on a stick to Jesus' lips (Matt 27:48, Mark 15:36, John 19:29). This humble household item becomes the instrument of a small mercy—or mockery—in Christ's final moments. Classical sources mention sponges for table-cleaning, bathing, and shoe-polishing, showing their everyday utility.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The translations are identical across all languages: English 'sponge', Spanish 'esponja', French 'éponge', German 'Schwamm'. This reflects a concrete, universally recognized object. The three Gospel accounts agree on this detail: a sponge soaked in vinegar, offered to the dying Christ, fulfilling Psalm 69:21 while providing temporary relief or perhaps one last indignity at Golgotha. 3×
AR["إِسْفَنْجَةً"]·ben["স্পঞ্জ"]·DE["Schwamm", "σπόγγον"]·EN["a-sponge"]·FR["éponge"]·heb["סְפוֹג"]·HI["स्पंज"]·ID["bunga-karang", "spons"]·IT["spoggon"]·jav["jamur", "spanji,", "spons"]·KO["해면-을", "해면을"]·PT["esponja"]·RU["губку"]·ES["esponja"]·SW["sifongo", "sponge"]·TR["sünger"]·urd["اسفنج"]
Related Senses
G0846 1. third-person pronoun reference (5552×)H???? 1. (4670×)H6213a 1. do, perform, act (2383×)G4160 1. do, act, perform (473×)H5221 1. Hifil: to strike in battle, smite enemies (362×)H0899b 1. garment, article of clothing (216×)H6213a 2. make, construct, fabricate (148×)H3772 1. cut a covenant / make a pact (97×)H5060 1. touch physically (Qal) (96×)H3615 1. complete a task (Piel) (85×)H3772 2. cut off / destroy (Hifil causative) (81×)H3920 1. capture, seize (Qal) (76×)H???? 12. (76×)H3772 3. be cut off / be eliminated (Niphal) (74×)H6213a 3. be done, be made (Niphal) (73×)G4160 2. make, construct, create (62×)H3847 1. Qal: put on, wear (60×)H8210 1. pour out (liquid/libation) (59×)G2440 1. garment or clothing (general) (54×)H4191 4. kill / put to death (Hifil causative) (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σπόγγος, ὁ, sponge, σ. πολυτρήτοισι τραπέζας νίζον Refs 8th c.BC+; used at the bath, Refs 5th c.BC+; for cleaning shoes. NT+5th c.BC+ __II any spongy substance, σικυώνης σ. Refs 5th c.BC+; οἱ σ. the glands in the throat, tonsils, from their spongy nature and liability to swell, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __III ={νήριον}, Ps.-Refs 1st c.AD+. (σφόγγος is found in Refs 4th c.BC+; compare σπογγιά, σπογγίον.)