Lexical Summary
thésauros: Treasure, storehouse, treasury
Original Word: θησαυρός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: thésauros
Pronunciation: thay-sow-ROS
Phonetic Spelling: (thay-sow-ros')
KJV: treasure
NASB: treasure, treasures
Word Origin: [from G5087 (τίθημι - laid)]
1. a deposit, i.e. wealth
{literally or figuratively}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
treasure.
From tithemi; a deposit, i.e. Wealth (literally or figuratively) -- treasure.
see GREEK tithemi
HELPS Word-studies
2344 thēsaurós (from 5087 /títhēmi, "to put, set") – properly, stored-up treasure (riches); (figuratively) a storehouse of treasure, including (treasured) thoughts stored up in the heart and mind.
[2344 (thēsaurós) is the root the English term "thesaurus" which refers to a "storehouse (treasure) of synonyms." 2344 (thēsaurós) is literally "a receptacle for valuables").]
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
tithémi and a prim. root aur-
Definitiontreasure
NASB Translationtreasure (12), treasures (5).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2344: θησαυρόςθησαυρός,
θησαυροῦ,
ὁ (from
ΘΑΩ (
τίθημι) with the paragog. term.
θησαυρός); the
Sept. often for
אוצָר; Latin
thesaurus; i. e.
1. the place in which goods and precious things are collected and laid up;
a. a casket, coffer, or other receptacle, in which valuables are kept: Matthew 2:11.
b. a treasury (Herodotus, Euripides, Plato, Aristotle, Diodorus, Plutarch, Herodian; 1 Macc. 3:29).
c. storehouse, repository, magazine (Nehemiah 13:12; Deuteronomy 28:12, etc.; Appendix, Pun. 88, 95): Matthew 13:52 (cf. παλαιός, 1); metaphorically, of the soul, as the repository of thoughts, feelings, purposes, etc.: (Matthew 12:35a G L T Tr WH, 35b); with epexegetical genitive τῆς καρδίας, ibid. 12:35a Rec.; Luke 6:45.
2. the things laid up in a treasury; collected treasures: Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:33; Hebrews 11:26. θησαυρόν ἔχειν ἐν οὐρανῷ, to have treasure laid up for themselves in heaven, is used of those to whom God has appointed eternal salvation: Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22; something precious, Matthew 13:44; used thus of the light of the gospel, 2 Corinthians 4:7; with an epexegetical genitive τῆς σοφίας (Xenophon, mem. 4, 2, 9; Plato, Phil., p. 15 e.) καί γνώσεως, equivalent to πᾶσα ἡ σοφία καί γνῶσις ὡς θησαυροί, Colossians 2:3.
Topical Lexicon
Old Testament Background and Cultural Setting In the Septuagint, θησαυρός frequently denotes the storehouses of kings and temples (for example, 2 Kings 20:13; Isaiah 39:2), underscoring both material abundance and strategic security. This backdrop heightens the New Testament contrast between perishable earthly stores and imperishable heavenly riches. In Second Temple society, wealth was often hoarded in guarded vaults or buried in fields—practices that inform Jesus’ parables and commands.
Treasures of the Kingdom in the Teachings of Jesus
Matthew 13:44 captures the incomparable worth of the kingdom: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…he went and sold all he had and bought that field.” The sacrifice is total, yet the exchange is overwhelmingly advantageous—an enduring illustration of repentance, faith, and joyful surrender.
Jesus applies the metaphor pastorally in Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:33-34. Earthly goods are vulnerable to “moth and rust,” but heavenly treasure is inviolable. The directive to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33) demonstrates that generosity is the means by which temporal assets are converted into eternal wealth. To the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22) the same principle becomes a personal call: relinquish possessions, embrace discipleship, gain “treasure in heaven.”
Treasure and the Heart’s Orientation
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The location of treasure reveals the object of affection, shaping attitudes, priorities, and behavior. Two sayings reinforce the point:
• Matthew 12:35 and Luke 6:45 present the heart itself as a treasure-chest, spilling out either good or evil.
• Luke 12:34 returns to the heart-treasure linkage, anchoring stewardship in inner devotion.
Christ Himself as the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge
Colossians 2:3 affirms, “In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Here θησαυρός is neither moral quality nor material asset but the incarnate Christ. The verse answers both the intellectual and spiritual cravings of humanity: every true insight, every revelation of God’s character and plan, resides in the Son.
Apostolic Imagery: Treasure in Earthen Vessels
Paul writes, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The gospel—life, light, and glory—is entrusted to frail human messengers so that the surpassing power is clearly divine. The image dignifies ministry while preserving humility: the vessel is expendable; the treasure is everlasting.
Eternal Reward versus Temporal Wealth
Hebrews 11:26 hails Moses for valuing “the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.” The patriarch saw beyond the opulence of Pharaoh’s court to an unseen recompense. Faith thus evaluates riches eschatologically, not superficially.
Incarnational Generosity: The Magi and Their Gifts
When the wise men “opened their treasures” (Matthew 2:11) they offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh—costly gifts acknowledging the newborn King. Their act foreshadows the proper use of earthly wealth: worship that points to Jesus’ royalty, deity, and sacrificial death.
Practical Ministry and Discipleship Implications
1. Stewardship: Believers convert temporal resources into eternal capital through giving, hospitality, and service.
2. Contentment: Recognizing Christ as ultimate treasure liberates the soul from material anxiety (cf. Matthew 6:25-34).
3. Evangelism: The gospel we carry is invaluable; courage stems from its worth, not our strength (2 Corinthians 4:7-12).
4. Teaching: Sound doctrine centers on the sufficiency of Christ (Colossians 2:3), guarding against philosophies that promise hidden knowledge elsewhere.
Historical and Theological Reflections
Early church writers appealed to θησαυρός to combat Gnostic claims of secret wisdom, citing Colossians 2:3 as proof that no further mystery lay outside Christ. Reformation preachers alike contrasted indulgence-funded “treasures of merit” with the true treasure of the gospel offered freely through faith. Throughout Christian history, the word has summoned believers to weigh the fleeting allure of riches against the lasting joy of knowing and serving God.
Summary
Across its seventeen New Testament occurrences, θησαυρός moves from literal wealth to an expansive spiritual metaphor. Whether depicting the priceless kingdom, the disposition of the heart, the supremacy of Christ, or the gospel entrusted to fragile saints, the term calls every generation to reassess value, re-orient desire, and invest life in what endures forever.
Forms and Transliterations
θησαυροι θησαυροί θησαυροὶ θησαυροίς θησαυρον θησαυρόν θησαυρὸν θησαυρος θησαυρός θησαυρὸς θησαυρου θησαυρού θησαυροῦ θησαυρους θησαυρούς θησαυροὺς θησαυροφύλακι θησαυρω θησαυρώ θησαυρῷ θησαυρων θησαυρών θησαυρῶν θίασον θίβει θίβιν thesauro thēsaurō thesauroi thesauroì thesaurôi thēsauroi thēsauroì thēsaurō̂i thesauron thesauròn thesaurôn thēsauron thēsauròn thēsaurōn thēsaurō̂n thesauros thesaurós thesauròs thēsauros thēsaurós thēsauròs thesaurou thesauroû thēsaurou thēsauroû thesaurous thesauroùs thēsaurous thēsauroùs
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