Matthew 27:33

The Transliteration of Γολγοθα: An Exegetical Inquiry into Vowel Variation

This exegetical study of ‘γολγοθα with ο or with α?’ is based on a b-greek discussion from Thu Jul 1 04:41:03 EDT 1999. The initial inquiry observed that while Greek editions and various European Bible translations (English, French, Dutch, and German Catholic) typically present the place of Jesus’ crucifixion as “Golgotha” (implying a final omicron/omega), Martin Luther’s German translation and subsequent Protestant German versions consistently render it as “Golgatha” (with a final alpha).

The central exegetical issue revolves around the transliteration of the Aramaic term *gulgulta’* (גולגולתא), meaning “skull,” into Koine Greek, specifically concerning the final vowel. The Greek text consistently employs Γολγοθα (with a final alpha). The divergence observed in various translations raises questions about the linguistic principles governing the transfer of Semitic phonology into Greek, and subsequently into European vernaculars. This investigation seeks to elucidate the reasons behind the differing transliterations, particularly the shift from the Greek final alpha to an omicron/omega in some traditions, and the implications for textual fidelity and semantic clarity.

Καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τόπον λεγόμενον Γολγοθα, ὅ ἐστιν κρανίου τόπος λεγόμενος.
(Matthew 27:33, Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• For Matthew 27:33, the SBLGNT (2010) presents Γολγοθα, identical in spelling to the Nestle 1904 edition for this term. No textual differences are noted regarding the specific transliteration of this proper noun.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)

The textual apparatus of the Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28) for Matthew 27:33 indicates no significant variants concerning the spelling of Γολγοθα. The consistency of the term across major textual traditions underscores its stability as a direct transliteration in Greek. This lack of variation in the primary Greek manuscripts suggests that any divergence in transliteration occurred in subsequent translations into other languages rather than stemming from different Greek textual streams.

Lexically, the term Γολγοθα is indeclinable. BDAG (s.v. Γολγοθα) confirms its Aramaic origin (גֻּלְגֻּלְתָּא, *gulgultāʾ*), meaning “skull,” and notes its usage in Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, and John 19:17. Luke 23:33, notably, does not use the transliterated form but rather the Greek equivalent, Κρανίῳ (meaning “Skull”).

KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. I, p. 788) provides a more extensive etymological background. He traces the term to the Hebrew *gulgōleth* (גֻּלְגֹּלֶת) and the Aramaic *gulgultāʾ* (גולגולתא). The final -α in the Greek transliteration Γολγοθα is crucial, as it accurately reflects the Aramaic emphatic state ending (equivalent to the definite article in some Semitic languages) which often appears as an *aleph* (א). Thus, the Greek rendering preserves the original Semitic phonology, particularly the final long ‘a’ sound.

Translation Variants: Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The Greek word Γολγοθα functions as an indeclinable proper noun. Its form is a direct phonetic transcription of the Aramaic *gulgultāʾ*. The grammatical structure of Greek nouns often involves specific endings for case and number, but as a transliterated foreign proper noun, Γολγοθα bypasses typical Greek declension patterns. The final -α is therefore not a grammatical ending in the Greek sense (e.g., a feminine nominative singular ending) but a direct representation of the Aramaic emphatic ending.

The divergence in translation—specifically between “Golgatha” (with a final ‘a’) and “Golgotha” (with a final ‘o’)—can be understood primarily as a phenomenon of transliteration convention rather than a direct grammatical or rhetorical choice. The Greek -α faithfully renders the Aramaic final vowel. Translations such as Martin Luther’s “Golgatha” uphold this fidelity to the Greek (and by extension, the Aramaic) vocalization. Conversely, the widespread “Golgotha” found in Latin, English, and other traditions represents a form of Hellenization or Latinization. This substitution of -ο for -α might be attributed to several factors:

• Phonological Assimilation: Greek words frequently end in -ος (masculine) or -ον (neuter), making -ο a more common and natural-sounding ending in a Hellenized context than -α for a non-feminine noun.
• Latin Influence: The Latin Vulgate’s rendering (often “Golgotha”) would have exerted significant influence on subsequent European translations, perpetuating the ‘o’ ending.
• Conventionalization: Over centuries, “Golgotha” became the established and recognized form, irrespective of its direct phonetic accuracy to the original Greek and Aramaic.

From a rhetorical perspective, the choice of vowel does not alter the referent of the proper noun. However, from a linguistic and exegetical standpoint, maintaining the original vowel in transliteration (i.e., the final -α) more accurately reflects the source language’s phonetic and morphological features, preserving a layer of linguistic detail that links the Greek text directly to its Semitic substrate.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The analysis demonstrates that the Greek text consistently uses Γολγοθα with a final alpha, which is an accurate transliteration of the Aramaic *gulgultāʾ*. The variation in European translations, particularly between “Golgatha” and “Golgotha,” stems from differing transliteration conventions, with “Golgotha” representing a Hellenized or Latinized form that departs from the Greek original’s final vowel.

1. Golgotha: This common English and Latin form represents a conventionalized transliteration. While widely recognized, it modifies the final alpha of the Greek Γολγοθα, likely due to phonetic shifts or grammatical assimilation within Western linguistic traditions, and thus deviates slightly from the source language.
2. Golgatha: This transliteration, employed by Martin Luther and other German Protestant versions, is more consistent with the Greek Γολγοθα. It accurately preserves the final alpha, reflecting the direct rendering of the Aramaic emphatic state ending (גולגולתא) and maintaining greater fidelity to the original phonology.
3. Golgotha, ‘Place of a Skull’: This option prioritizes semantic clarity by retaining the widely recognized transliteration while immediately appending the essential meaning derived from its Aramaic origin. This approach acknowledges the linguistic evolution of the term while simultaneously providing a more complete and accessible understanding for the reader.