Word Studies¶
H6607 -- pethach (Opening/Door/Entrance)¶
Original: פֶּתַח Transliteration: pethach Pronunciation: peh'-thakh Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: From patach (to open); an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way -- door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place. BLB Count: 163 occurrences
Translations (173 total in Strong's database)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the door | 58 | 33.5% |
| at the door | 15 | 8.7% |
| door | 15 | 8.7% |
| of the door | 8 | 4.6% |
| for the door | 7 | 4.0% |
| at the entering in | 5 | 2.9% |
| in the door | 5 | 2.9% |
| the entering | 3 | 1.7% |
| the gate | 2 | 1.2% |
| doors | 2 | 1.2% |
Key Tabernacle Occurrences¶
- Exo 29:4, 33:8-10, 35:15, 40:5,6,28,29 -- "door of the tabernacle of the congregation"
- Lev 1:3, 17:4-6,9 -- sacrifices brought to "the door of the tabernacle"
- Num 3:25-26 -- Levite duties at the door
- Gen 4:7 -- earliest usage: "sin lieth at the door"
- Psa 24:7,9 -- "Lift up your heads, O ye gates" (pethach)
Significance¶
Pethach is the standard OT term for the entrance of the tabernacle. The sinner's journey begins here. It appears in the crucial phrase "at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation" (pethach ohel mo'ed), which is where sacrifices were brought, priests were consecrated, and the people assembled. The tabernacle had a single eastern entrance (pethach), establishing the principle of one way of access.
G2374 -- thyra (Door)¶
Original: θύρα Transliteration: thyra Pronunciation: thoo'-rah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively) -- door, gate. BLB Count: 39 occurrences
Translations (31 in Strong's database)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| door | 19 | 61.3% |
| doors | 5 | 16.1% |
| a door | 3 | 9.7% |
| the doors | 2 | 6.5% |
| gate | 1 | 3.2% |
Key Verses¶
- John 10:1 -- "He that entereth not by the door (thyra) into the sheepfold"
- John 10:7 -- "I am the door (thyra) of the sheep"
- John 10:9 -- "I am the door (thyra): by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved"
- Rev 3:7-8 -- "he that openeth, and no man shutteth... I have set before thee an open door"
- Rev 3:20 -- "Behold, I stand at the door (thyra), and knock"
- Rev 4:1 -- "a door (thyra) was opened in heaven"
- Acts 14:27 -- "opened the door (thyra) of faith unto the Gentiles"
Significance¶
Jesus identifies himself as THE thyra (with the article: he thyra). This is the NT counterpart of the OT pethach -- the single entrance to the sanctuary. Christ is both the OT tabernacle entrance and the NT door of salvation.
H4196 -- mizbeach (Altar)¶
Original: מִזְבֵּחַ Transliteration: mizbeach Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: From zabach (H2076, to slaughter); an altar -- altar. BLB Count: 402 occurrences
Translations (412 in Strong's database)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the altar | 142 | 34.5% |
| of the altar | 59 | 14.3% |
| an altar | 46 | 11.2% |
| altar | 36 | 8.7% |
| upon the altar | 27 | 6.6% |
| altars | 16 | 3.9% |
Etymology¶
Derived from H2076 zabach (to slaughter for sacrifice), so mizbeach literally means "a place of slaughter." This etymology reveals the altar's essential function: it is the place where the substitute dies.
Key Occurrences¶
- Gen 8:20 -- Noah's first altar after the flood
- Exo 27:1-8 -- Bronze altar for burnt offerings (5x5x3 cubits, brass-overlaid)
- Exo 30:1-10 -- Golden incense altar
- Heb 13:10 -- "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle"
G3824 -- palingenesia (Regeneration)¶
Original: παλιγγενεσία Transliteration: palingenesia Pronunciation: pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From palin (again) and genesis (birth/origin); (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (Messianic) renovation; specifically, Titus, regeneration -- regeneration. BLB Count: 2 occurrences (ONLY TWO in entire NT)
Both Occurrences¶
- Matthew 19:28 -- "Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory..." (cosmic renewal/new creation)
- Titus 3:5 -- "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (individual spiritual rebirth)
Significance¶
The word palingenesia carries a double meaning: individual rebirth (Tit 3:5) and cosmic renewal (Mat 19:28). This parallels the sanctuary's dual function as model of individual salvation AND prophetic timeline. The laver (washing = loutron) is paired with regeneration (palingenesia), connecting the physical washing of the laver to spiritual rebirth.
G3067 -- loutron (Washing/Bath)¶
Original: λουτρόν Transliteration: loutron Pronunciation: loo-tron' Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From louo (G3068); a bath, i.e. (figuratively) baptism -- washing. BLB Count: 2 occurrences
Both Occurrences¶
- Titus 3:5 -- "by the washing (loutron) of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"
- Ephesians 5:26 -- "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing (loutron) of water by the word"
Significance¶
Loutron derives from louo (G3068, to bathe the whole body), not nipto (G3538, to wash a part). This distinction is critical for the laver typology and is made explicit in John 13:10.
G3068 -- louo (To Wash/Bathe Fully) vs. G3538 -- nipto (To Wash a Part)¶
Original (louo): λούω Transliteration: louo Pronunciation: loo'-oh Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primary verb; to bathe (the whole person; whereas nipto means to wet a part only) BLB Count: 6 occurrences
louo Occurrences¶
- John 13:10 -- "He that is washed (louo) needeth not save to wash (nipto) his feet"
- Acts 9:37 -- Tabitha's body washed
- Acts 16:33 -- Jailer washed their stripes
- Heb 10:22 -- "bodies washed (louo) with pure water"
- 2 Pet 2:22 -- The sow that was washed
- Rev 1:5 -- "washed us from our sins in his own blood"
Original (nipto): νίπτω Transliteration: nipto Part of Speech: verb Definition: To cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform ablution BLB Count: 17 occurrences (primarily in John 9 [man born blind], John 13 [foot washing])
Key Verse: John 13:10¶
"He that is washed [louo, completely bathed] needeth not save to wash [nipto, partial] his feet, but is clean every whit."
Significance for Laver Typology¶
The louo/nipto distinction maps precisely onto the two functions of the laver: - louo (complete bathing) = initial regeneration/conversion (one-time, complete cleansing) - nipto (partial washing) = ongoing sanctification (daily cleansing from defilement) The priests washed completely at consecration (louo) but washed hands and feet daily (nipto). This is the laver's two-stage typology: regeneration (once) and sanctification (ongoing).
H3727 -- kapporeth (Mercy Seat)¶
Original: כַּפֹּרֶת Transliteration: kapporeth Pronunciation: kap-po'-reth Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From kaphar (H3722); a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) -- mercy seat. BLB Count: 27 occurrences
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the mercy seat | 22 | 81.5% |
| of the mercy seat | 3 | 11.1% |
| a mercy seat | 1 | 3.7% |
| the mercy seatward | 1 | 3.7% |
Key Occurrences (all 27)¶
Exodus 25: vv.17,18,19,20,21,22 (original instructions) Exodus 26: v.34 (placed upon ark in Most Holy Place) Exodus 30: v.6 (incense altar placed before the mercy seat) Exodus 31: v.7 (list of items to make) Exodus 35: v.12 (list repeated) Exodus 37: vv.6,7,8,9 (Bezaleel makes the mercy seat) Exodus 39: v.35 (completed work) Exodus 40: v.20 (mercy seat placed upon the ark) Leviticus 16: vv.2,13,14,15 (Day of Atonement ritual -- blood sprinkled ON and BEFORE the mercy seat) Numbers 7: v.89 (God speaks from between the cherubim above the mercy seat) 1 Chronicles 28: v.11 (David's pattern for the "place of the mercy seat")
LXX Bridge: kapporeth -> hilasterion¶
The LXX translates kapporeth as hilasterion (G2435) with a PMI score of 9.75 (extremely strong association), occurring 16 times. This is THE bridge between OT mercy seat theology and Paul's statement in Rom 3:25 that Christ is the hilasterion -- God's mercy seat.
H3722 -- kaphar (To Cover/Atone)¶
Original: כָּפַר Transliteration: kaphar Pronunciation: kaw-far' Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel -- appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). BLB Count: 102 occurrences
Translations (130 in Strong's database)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| shall make an atonement | 20 | 15.4% |
| to make an atonement | 18 | 13.8% |
| and make an atonement | 10 | 7.7% |
| to make reconciliation | 3 | 2.3% |
| be purged | 3 | 2.3% |
| be cleansed | 1 | 0.8% |
| forgive | 1 | 0.8% |
| pardon | 1 | 0.8% |
Leviticus 16 Concentrations (16x in one chapter)¶
vv. 6,10,11,16(2x),17(2x),18,20,24(2x),27,30(2x),32,33(3x),34
Key Verse: Leviticus 16:30¶
Hebrew parsing: "ki vayyom hazzeh yekapper aleikhem letaher etkhem mikkol chattoteikhem liphnei YHWH tittaharu" - yekapper (Piel imperfect 3ms of kaphar) = "he will make atonement" - letaher (Piel infinitive construct of taher) = "to cleanse" - tittaharu (Qal imperfect 2mp of taher) = "you shall be clean"
The two verbs work in sequence: kaphar (atone/cover) leads to taher (cleanse/purify). Atonement is the means; purity is the result.
LXX Translations of kaphar¶
Top LXX mappings: peri (G4012, "concerning" -- 62x), hamartia (G266, "sin" -- 41x), aphiemi (G863, "forgive" -- 14x), katharizo (G2511, "cleanse" -- 14x)
G2643 -- katallage (Reconciliation)¶
Original: καταλλαγή Transliteration: katallage Pronunciation: kat-al-lag-ay' Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From katallasso; exchange (figuratively, adjustment), i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor -- atonement, reconciliation. BLB Count: 4 occurrences
All 4 Occurrences¶
- Romans 5:11 -- "by whom we have now received the atonement [katallage]" (KJV translates as "atonement" but meaning is "reconciliation")
- Romans 11:15 -- "if the casting away of them be the reconciling [katallage] of the world"
- 2 Corinthians 5:18 -- "the ministry of reconciliation [katallage]"
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 -- "the word of reconciliation [katallage]"
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| of reconciliation | 2 | 50% |
| atonement | 1 | 25% |
| the reconciling | 1 | 25% |
Significance¶
Katallage complements hilasterion: hilasterion (propitiation/mercy seat) addresses the Godward side of atonement (satisfying divine justice), while katallage (reconciliation) addresses the humanward side (restoring relationship). Together they describe what happens at the altar/mercy seat: God is propitiated and man is reconciled.
G4637 -- skenoo (To Tabernacle/Dwell)¶
Original: σκηνόω Transliteration: skenoo Pronunciation: skay-no'-oh Part of Speech: verb Definition: From skene (a tent); to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old) -- dwell. BLB Count: 5 occurrences
All NT Occurrences¶
- John 1:14 -- "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt [skenoo, tabernacled] among us"
- Revelation 7:15 -- "he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell [skenoo] among them"
- Revelation 12:12 -- "rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell [skenoo] in them"
- Revelation 13:6 -- "them that dwell [skenoo] in heaven"
- Revelation 21:3 -- "the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell [skenoo] with them"
Significance for Sanctuary Theology¶
Skenoo traces the entire sanctuary-dwelling arc: - John 1:14 -- God "tabernacled" in Christ (incarnation = portable sanctuary) - Rev 7:15 -- The redeemed before the throne; God "tabernacles over" them (intermediate state) - Rev 21:3 -- "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will tabernacle with them" (consummation)
This vocabulary proves that the New Jerusalem is not the abolition of the sanctuary but its ultimate fulfillment -- God permanently tabernacles with humanity. The entire salvation plan moves from Exo 25:8 ("that I may dwell among them") to Rev 21:3 ("he will dwell with them").
G1529 -- eisodos (Entrance)¶
Original: εἴσοδος Transliteration: eisodos Pronunciation: ice'-od-os Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From eis and hodos; an entrance (literally or figuratively) -- coming, enter, entrance. BLB Count: 5 occurrences
Key Occurrences¶
- Hebrews 10:19 -- "boldness to enter into [eisodon] the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (entrance into God's presence)
- 2 Peter 1:11 -- "For so an entrance [eisodos] shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom" (entrance as culmination of progressive sanctification)
- Acts 13:24 -- John's preaching before Christ's "coming" [eisodos]
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2:1 -- Paul's "coming" to Thessalonica
Significance¶
Eisodos connects Heb 10:19 (entering the holiest) with 2 Pet 1:11 (entering the everlasting kingdom). The same "entrance" vocabulary links the sanctuary journey to the eschatological destination.