Nomina sacra (Latin for “sacred names”) refers to a special way of abbreviating certain important divine names and titles in early Greek New Testament manuscripts. These abbreviations were typically formed by taking the first and last letters of the word and placing an overline above them. Some of the most common nomina sacra abbreviations include:
- ΘΣ for Θεός (God)
- ΚΣ for Κύριος (Lord)
- ΙΗΣ for Ἰησοῦς (Jesus)
- ΧΣ for Χριστός (Christ)
- ΠΝΑ for Πνεῦμα (Spirit)
- ΥΣ for Υἱός (Son)
- ΠΗΡ for Πατήρ (Father)
- ΑΝΟΣ for ἄνθρωπος (man/human)
- ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ for σταυρός (cross)
- ΜΗΡ for μήτηρ (mother)
The origin and purpose of the nomina sacra is debated by scholars. Some theories include:
– They originated to save space on expensive writing materials like parchment.
– Using abbreviations showed reverence for the divine names.
– Visually distinguishing divine names made manuscripts easier to read.
– Abbreviating key theological terms underscored their importance.
Whatever the exact motivation, the nomina sacra were an important scribal convention in early New Testament manuscripts. They appear extensively in biblical papyri from the 2nd-4th centuries CE. Codices Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, two key 4th century manuscripts, also contain many nomina sacra abbreviations.
The divine names were not the only words abbreviated in this way. There are also examples in the manuscripts of nomina sacra for words like “heaven,” “Jerusalem,” “cross,” “resurrection,” etc. But the main nomina sacra focus on titles and names for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Scholars have proposed various theories about the origin and spread of the nomina sacra:
– They were first used by Christian scribes in Rome and then spread to other regions.
– They may have originated in Alexandria, Egypt which was a major early Christian scribal center.
– The letters of Paul from the 50s CE already seem to use abbreviated forms like ΧΣ, so the practice may go back to the earliest decades of Christianity.
There are a few key insights about the nomina sacra that modern readers should keep in mind:
1. They were not secret code words, but common abbreviations that any literate person would recognize.
2. They were not always confined only to “sacred” names, but could be used for general theological vocabulary.
3. They represented an important scribal technique for early Christians to highlight key names and terms.
4. As abbreviations, they assume the divine names and titles as full words, not acronyms.
5. They demonstrate that specialized scribal habits developed early within Christian circles.
In the Bible itself, there are a few passages that may make indirect reference to the nomina sacra abbreviations:
– Revelation 13:17 refers to “the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Possibly hinting at an abbreviation for a divine title given to the Antichrist.
– Revelation 14:1 speaks of the Lamb’s name and the name of the Father “written on their foreheads.” Likely abbreviations.
– Revelation 17:5 mentions “a name was written on her forehead, a mystery: ‘Babylon the great…’” Perhaps using an nomina sacra.
– Revelation 2:17 references “a new name written” and “the name of my God.” Abbreviations are possible.
Modern English translations do not contain the original nomina sacra, so readers miss this aspect of the early manuscripts. But knowledge of the nomina sacra gives us a window into early Christian scribal practices and what ancient written Scriptures may have looked like before full punctuation, spacing and formatting developed.
The divine names and titles, whether written out in full or abbreviated, remind us of the majesty and sovereignty of God. As Jesus said, “I have made your name known to them” (John 17:26). The nomina sacra bear witness to the name Christians have revered since the earliest manuscripts.
Examples of nomina sacra in New Testament manuscripts
The nomina sacra abbreviations are found extensively in early Greek New Testament manuscripts. Here are some examples:
In Papyrus 46 (circa 200 CE), one of the earliest manuscript fragments, there are numerous occurrences of nomina sacra like:
– ΚΣ for Κύριος (Lord) in 2 Corinthians 1:14
– ΙΣ for Ἰησοῦς (Jesus) in Romans 15:17
– ΧΣ for Χριστός (Christ) in 2 Corinthians 1:1
Codex Sinaiticus (circa 330-360 CE) uses nomina sacra such as:
– ΘΥ for Θεός (God) in Matthew 27:46
– ΠΝΑ for Πνεῦμα (Spirit) in John 14:17
– ΔΑΔ for Δαυίδ (David) in Matthew 27:35
Codex Alexandrinus (circa 400-440 CE) contains abbreviations like:
– ΥΣ for Υἱός (Son) in Mark 1:11
– ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ for σταυρός (cross) in Colossians 2:14
– ΑΝΟΣ for ἄνθρωπος (man/human) in 1 Timothy 2:5
Other examples can be found in various Greek biblical manuscripts and early Christian writings of the 2nd-5th centuries CE. The nomina sacra convention represents an important part of the textual transmission history of the New Testament.
Theological significance of the nomina sacra
Beyond being an important scribal technique, the nomina sacra carry theological meaning regarding how early Christians viewed and revered the divine names:
1. They visually set apart divine names and titles as sacred compared to common words.
2. Using abbreviations preserved the sanctity of the names and protected them from misuse or abuse.
3. They highlighted Christological titles ascribed to Jesus like Lord, Christ, Son.
4. The frequent occurrence of nomina sacra for Holy Spirit affirms early Trinitarian beliefs.
5. Grouping other words like “cross” and “resurrection” with divine names showed their theological importance.
6. The nomina sacra were a profession of faith and a mark of Christian identity in the manuscripts.
7. They demonstrated the supreme value placed on the divine names in early Christianity.
So while the nomina sacra served an practical scribal function, they also carried theological weight and devotion. As Larry Hurtado writes, the nomina sacra “reflect religious devotion and pointers to a ‘high’ Christology at an early point in Christian tradition.”
Divine names and titles in biblical context
To properly understand the nomina sacra abbreviations, it helps to examine the full divine names and titles they represent in the biblical context:
**God (Θεός)**
The Bible presents God as eternal Creator (Genesis 1:1), mighty Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14), sovereign Lord (Deuteronomy 10:17), compassionate Father (Psalm 103:13). His names convey his power and nature, including Yahweh, Elohim, El-Shaddai.
**Lord (Κύριος)**
Lord (Greek kurios) points to God’s authority and Jesus as Lord of all (Acts 10:36). Old Testament uses adonai for Lord. The covenant name of God in the OT was represented by the tetragrammaton YHWH.
**Jesus (Ἰησοῦς)**
Jesus is the given name of the Word made flesh (John 1:14), the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). It means “Yahweh is salvation.”
**Christ (Χριστός)**
Christ (Greek christos) is the title for the promised Messiah and anointed King descended from David (Matthew 1:1; 12:23). It translates the Hebrew mashiach (messiah).
**Son (Υἱός)**
Jesus as Son of God refers to his eternal divine nature and unique relationship to the Father (John 3:16; 20:31). Parallels “son of Man.”
**Spirit (Πνεῦμα)**
Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19). Involved in creation, revelation, empowering believers, sanctification.
**Father (Πατήρ)**
As Father, God relates to humanity through covenant love (Deuteronomy 32:6). Jesus reveals God the Father (John 1:18).
So the nomina sacra represent the very essence of the Christian gospel – the revelation of God through Jesus Christ his Son, by the Holy Spirit, to reconcile sinful humanity to their loving Father.
Modern relevance of nomina sacra
1. They offer a window into early Christian scribal practices and devotion.
2. They demonstrate the supreme value placed on the divine names from the earliest manuscripts.
3. They connect modern Christians to the faith of early believers who transcribed the texts.
4. They can inspire reverence for God’s name and respect for Scripture today.
5. They show the continuity of orthodox Christological beliefs back to the biblical era.
6. They provide insights into how early biblical manuscripts were written.
7. They encourage focus on the theological terms at the heart of the biblical message.
While English Bibles do not contain the original nomina sacra, their legacy remains vitally relevant. The divine names they abbreviated represent the very foundation of the Christian faith through all ages. Just as those early scribes showed devotion to God’s name through the nomina sacra, modern readers can also hallow his name by sharing the message of Christ across the world (Matthew 28:19-20).