σύσσημ-ον G4953
signal, agreed sign, prearranged token (for coordinated action or recognition)
Judas gave the arresting party 'a signal'—whomever he kissed was the one to seize. Classical usage includes military signals and tokens of recognition; Mark's usage is sinister, framing the kiss as betrayal's coordinating mechanism. The sign enabled identification in darkness and crowds. Spanish 'señal' and French 'signe convenu' (agreed sign) preserve the prearranged dimension, essential to understanding Judas' active orchestration of Jesus' arrest, not mere passive identification.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Mark 14:44 reveals Judas 'had given them a signal,' agreeing that his kiss would mark Jesus for arrest. The term emphasizes premeditation—not spontaneous betrayal but coordinated conspiracy requiring a recognition token. English 'signal' and Spanish 'señal' capture the communicative coordination, essential to Mark's portrayal of Judas' calculated treachery and the authorities' nighttime operation. 1×
AR["عَلَامَةً"]·ben["সংকেত"]·DE["Zeichen"]·EN["a-signal"]·FR["signe-convenu"]·heb["סִימָן"]·HI["निशानी"]·ID["tanda"]·IT["sussemon"]·jav["tandha"]·KO["신호를"]·PT["sinal"]·RU["знак"]·ES["señal"]·SW["ishara"]·TR["işaret"]·urd["نشانی"]
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
σύσσημ-ον, τό, ={σύμβολον}, signal, Refs 4th c.BC+; δεδώκει σ. LXX+NT; αἴρειν τὸ σ. Refs 1st c.BC+; ἦρε τὸ συγκείμενον πρὸς μάχην σ. Refs __2 stamp on weights and measures, ἀπὸ συσσήμου πωλεῖν Refs 1st c.BC+ __3 badge, ensign, τὰ τῆς ἀρχῆς σ. insignia, regalia, Refs 1st c.BC+; token, means of recognition, Refs 4th c.BC+ __4 pledge, pawn, Refs 3rd c.BC+