UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: object, thing

Semantic entry: 6.1

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Artifacts [General Meaning]

Definition: any kind of instrument, tool, weapon, equipment, container, or property

Notes: The manner in which σκεῦος[a] is translated depends in many instances upon the specific context. It may, of course, be rendered by a highly generic expression such as English ‘thing,’ but wherever the context refers to some particular type of object, it is preferable to employ a specific referent. In RV ACT 27:17 · LV ACT 27:17 · Read together ACT 27:17, for example, the reference of σκεῦος is generally understood to be the mainsail.

Sense 2: vessel, container

Semantic entry: 6.118

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Containers

Definition: a highly generic term for any kind of jar, bowl, basket, or vase

Notes: In RV ACT 10:11 · LV ACT 10:11 · Read together ACT 10:11 and RV ACT 10:16 · LV ACT 10:16 · Read together ACT 10:16 σκεῦος[b] refers to a sheet (as a container) which was let down from heaven in Peter’s vision.|In a number of languages there is no relatively high generic term which may be used to refer to any type of vessel or container, and therefore one must employ more specific terms depending upon the context, even as in the case of most English translations in RV ACT 10:11 · LV ACT 10:11 · Read together ACT 10:11, RV REV 2:27 · LV REV 2:27 · Read together REV 2:27, and RV LUK 8:16 · LV LUK 8:16 · Read together LUK 8:16.

Sense 3: goods, belongings, household furnishings

Semantic entry: 57.20

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Have, Possess, Property, Owner

Definition: objects which are possessed

Sense 4: person

Semantic entry: 9.21

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Human Beings

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of σκεῦος[a] ‘instrument, thing,’ 6.1: σκεῦος) a person in relation to a particular function or role

Sense 5: body

Semantic entry: 8.6

Semantic domains: Body, Body Parts, and Body Products

Subdomains: Body

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of σκεῦος[a] ‘object, thing, instru ment,’ 6.1: σκεῦος, or of σκεῦος [source selector 000001][b] ‘vessel,’ 6.118: σκεῦος) the human body

Notes: It is also possible to interpret σκεῦος in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 as meaning ‘wife,’ and for a discussion of this meaning and some of the problems involved in translation, see 10.55: σκεῦος. A further alternative meaning, and one closely related to the meaning of ‘body’ is ‘sexual life,’ so that this expression in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 might be rendered as ‘each of you must gain mastery over his sexual life’ or, in the form τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος κτᾶσθαι ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ, ‘your sexual life should be holy and honorable’ (see 23.63: κτάομαι / 23.63: σκεῦος).

Sense 6: wife

Semantic entry: 10.55

Semantic domains: Kinship Terms

Subdomains: Kinship Relations Based upon Marriage

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of σκεῦος [source selector 000001][b] ‘vessel,’ 6.118: σκεῦος) a woman married to a man, with focus upon the sexual relation

Notes: The interpretation of σκεῦος in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 has given rise to serious divisions of opinion as noted in 8.6: σκεῦος, where σκεῦος is interpreted as designating a person’s own body. The interpretation of σκεῦος as ‘wife’ is based upon a number of considerations. In the first place, the verb κτᾶσθαι ‘to get, to acquire’ (57.58: κτάομαι) does not normally go with ‘body,’ while it fits well with the meaning of ‘wife.’ On the other hand, σκεῦος meaning ‘wife’ is nowhere else attested in Greek but is assumed in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 to refer to a wife primarily on the strength of the particular interpretation of the context, in which πορνεία ‘immorality’ (88.271: ἐκπορνεύω / 88.271: πορνεία / 88.271: πορνεύω) in verse 3 and and ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας ‘with a lustful desire’ (25.30: καταστρηνιάω / 25.30: πάθημα / 25.30: πάθος) in verse 5 are assumed to point to the meaning of σκεῦος as ‘wife.’ In ancient Jewish literature a wife was euphemistically called a ‘vessel’ in contexts relating to sexual relations, and ‘vessel’ is a very common meaning of σκεῦος in Greek. If, therefore, one assumes a Semitic background for this Greek text, the statement in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 would refer to the need for sexual life to be both holy and honorable (see 23.63: κτάομαι / 23.63: σκεῦος).

Sense 7: sexual life

Semantic entry: 23.63

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Sexual Relations

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to possess a vessel) a euphemistic manner of referring to sexual relations

Notes: It is also possible to understand σκεῦος in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 as one’s wife (see 10.55: σκεῦος). σκεῦος in RV TH1 4:4 · LV TH1 4:4 · Read together TH1 4:4 may also be understood as one’s body, and therefore the phrase τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος κτᾶσθαι may be rendered as ‘to control his own body’ (see 8.6: σκεῦος).

Collocations: σκεῦος κτάομαι