Pronunciation Guide: glō-so’-ko-mon (with emphasis on the second syllable)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1101: The γλωσσόκομον (glōssokomon) was originally a case designed to hold the mouthpieces of wind instruments, but in biblical times evolved to mean a small portable box or coffer used for storing valuables, particularly money. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to the money box or treasury that Judas Iscariot kept for Jesus and the disciples. This term appears only twice in Scripture, both times in the Gospel of John.
Etymology and Morphology
- Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
- Origin: Compound of γλῶσσα (glōssa, “tongue”) and κομέω (komeō, “to tend, take care of”)
- Literal Meaning: “Tongue-case” or “tongue-keeper”
- Usage Context: Narrative portions of John’s Gospel
- Frequency: 2 occurrences in the New Testament
γλωσσόκομον Morphology:
- γλωσσόκομον (nominative/accusative singular) – a money box
- γλωσσοκόμου (genitive singular) – of a money box
- γλωσσοκόμῳ (dative singular) – in/with a money box
Origin & History
The term γλωσσόκομον has a fascinating etymological journey. Originally, in classical Greek literature, it referred specifically to a case designed to hold the reed mouthpieces (γλῶσσαι, “tongues”) of musical instruments such as the aulos (flute). Aristotle uses this term in his writings to describe such cases. Over time, its meaning expanded to denote any small box used for keeping valuable items.
In the Septuagint (LXX), the term appears in 2 Chronicles 24:8, 10-11 to translate the Hebrew word אָרוֹן (aron), referring to the collection chest placed in the Jerusalem Temple by King Joash for collecting funds to repair the Temple. By the time of the New Testament, the term had narrowed somewhat, primarily referring to a money box or portable treasury. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, also uses this term in his writings to describe containers for valuables or money.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- A specialized case designed to hold musical instrument mouthpieces
- A small chest or box for keeping valuables secure
- A money box or treasury container
- A collection box for charitable or sacred purposes
- A portable coffer for transporting currency
γλωσσόκομον Translation Options:
- Money box – Most accurate in the Gospel context, emphasizing its function as the disciples’ treasury
- Money bag – An alternative translation that captures the portable nature of the container
- Cash box – Modernized rendering that communicates the practical function
- Purse – Less precise but conveys the personal nature of the container
- Treasury – Emphasizes the communal aspect of the funds it contained
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, γλωσσόκομον appears exclusively in the Gospel of John, both instances relating to Judas Iscariot who served as the treasurer for Jesus and His disciples. The context reveals that this was not merely a container but represented a position of trust within the disciples’ community. Judas’s relationship to the γλωσσόκομον becomes an outward symbol of his inward spiritual condition, as John explicitly mentions that Judas was stealing from it.
The Septuagint usage in 2 Chronicles reveals that the concept of a sacred collection box was already established in Jewish religious practice, making the disciples’ use of a communal treasury consistent with Jewish customs. The contrast between Mary’s lavish gift to Jesus and Judas’s concern for the γλωσσόκομον in John 12 creates a powerful narrative juxtaposition between true devotion and false piety.
- “He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the [γλωσσόκομον] he used to take what was put into it.” John 12:6
- “For some thought, because Judas had the [γλωσσόκομον], that Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the feast,’ or that he should give something to the poor.” John 13:29
Cultural Insights
The γλωσσόκομον represents an important cultural practice among Jewish traveling groups in the first century. Rabbinical teachings of the period emphasized the importance of designating a trustworthy person to manage communal funds, especially when traveling. The position of treasurer was considered both honorable and requiring great integrity. In Jewish communities, the person entrusted with the communal funds typically distributed money to the poor and needy as part of the Jewish practice of tzedakah (righteousness through charity).
Interestingly, archaeological discoveries from this period have uncovered small portable boxes, typically made of wood and sometimes adorned with metal fittings, that match the description of a γλωσσόκομον. These boxes often featured a small opening at the top for inserting coins and a locked compartment accessible only to the keeper of the box. The disciples’ practice of maintaining such a treasury box demonstrates their adherence to Jewish customs while traveling throughout Judea and Galilee.
The fact that Jesus and His disciples maintained a communal treasury also reveals something profound about their ministry – though focused on spiritual matters, they still addressed practical needs and participated in charitable giving, demonstrating that spirituality and practical compassion go hand-in-hand in the Kingdom of God.
Theological Significance
The γλωσσόκομον carries significant theological implications, particularly regarding stewardship, trust, and the danger of loving money. That Judas was entrusted with this responsibility suggests that outward appearances often failed to reveal the heart. Even Jesus, in His perfect wisdom, allowed Judas this position, demonstrating that God sometimes permits people to occupy roles that ultimately reveal their true character.
The contrast between Mary’s sacrificial gift of expensive perfume and Judas’s concern for the money box in John 12 illustrates two fundamentally different approaches to possessions in relation to the Messiah. Mary’s extravagant worship reveals that nothing is too precious to give to Jesus, while Judas’s attachment to the money box shows how easily the human heart can be corrupted by love of wealth. This parallels Yeshua’s (Jesus’) teaching that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
The γλωσσόκομον also serves as a sobering reminder of how positions of trust within ministry can become opportunities for sin when one’s heart is not right with God. Judas’s proximity to Jesus and his role as treasurer did not prevent his betrayal—in fact, John suggests that his handling of the money may have contributed to his spiritual downfall. This underscores Yahweh’s warning throughout Scripture about the deceitfulness of riches and the corrupting influence of greed.
Personal Application
The story of the γλωσσόκομον invites us to examine our own relationship with money and possessions. Like Judas, we may outwardly appear to be faithful stewards while inwardly harboring impure motives. The real question is not whether we manage resources, but whether those resources are managing us. When we find ourselves, like Judas, calculating the “waste” of resources devoted to worship, we may have crossed a dangerous line.
Consider taking time to reflect on your own financial priorities. Are you more concerned with accumulating and protecting wealth, or are you, like Mary, willing to pour out your most precious resources as an act of devotion to the Messiah? Remember that Yeshua does not merely ask for a percentage of our income—He invites us to surrender everything to Him as Lord. The γλωσσόκομον in your life may be revealing more about your heart than you realize.
Related Words
- θησαυρός (thēsauros, thay-sow-ros’) – A treasury or storehouse for valuable items, suggesting something more permanent than the portable γλωσσόκομον. Often used metaphorically for spiritual treasures. See G2344
- βαλλάντιον (ballantion, bal-lan’-tee-on) – A small money bag or purse carried on one’s person, generally smaller than a γλωσσόκομον and for more personal use rather than group funds. See G905
- γάζα (gaza, gad’-zah) – A Persian word adopted into Greek referring to a royal treasury or the contents thereof, representing greater wealth and official status than a γλωσσόκομον. See G1047
- κορβᾶν (korban, kor-ban’) – A Hebrew term referring to an offering dedicated to God, representing the opposite spiritual attitude to that associated with the γλωσσόκομον in Judas’s hands. See G2878
- κιβωτός (kibōtos, kib-o-tos’) – A wooden chest or box, larger than a γλωσσόκομον, notably used for Noah’s ark and the Ark of the Covenant. See G2787
Did you Know?
- Did you know that the γλωσσόκομον might have been the very container mentioned in John 19:39-40 used to carry the mixture of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus for Yeshua’s burial? While not explicitly stated, some scholars believe such spices would have been stored in the disciples’ communal belongings, forming a poignant connection between Judas’s betrayal and the preparation of Jesus’ body for burial.
- Did you know that in modern Greek, the word γλωσσόκομο (glossokomo) evolved from γλωσσόκομον and now commonly refers to a coffin? This fascinating linguistic development may reflect how the container that once held the funds that led to Jesus’ death eventually came to symbolize death itself in the Greek language.
- Did you know that archaeological findings from first-century Jerusalem have uncovered small wooden and metal boxes similar to the γλωσσόκομον described in Scripture? These findings at sites like Qumran suggest that communities similar to Jesus and His disciples commonly maintained communal treasuries for group expenses and charitable giving, confirming the historical accuracy of this detail in John’s Gospel.
Remember This
The γλωσσόκομον teaches us that what we do with our material resources reveals what we truly treasure—either the passing wealth of this world or the eternal riches of intimacy with the Messiah.
