Gethsemane

American  

[geth-sem-uh-nee] / gɛθˈsɛm ə ni /

noun

1. (in the Bible) a garden east of Jerusalem, near the brook of Kedron: scene of Jesus' agony and betrayal.

2. gethsemane, a scene or occasion of suffering; calvary.

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Gethsemane British  

/ ɡɛθˈsɛmənɪ /

noun

1. New Testament the garden in Jerusalem where Christ was betrayed on the night before his Crucifixion (Matthew 26:36–56)

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Other Word Forms

• Gethsemanic adjective
• gethsemanic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Gethsemane

From Late Latin Gethsēmani, from Greek Gethsēmaní, probably from assumed Aramaic gadh shĕmānē, from Hebrew gath shĕmānīm “oil press”

Example Sentences

He painted hundreds, murals of a jungle and of the Garden of Gethsemane at the old Clifton’s cafeteria, five panels of L.A. history at the Rosslyn Hotel — now, predictably, covered up, damaged, destroyed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2024

But according to most theologians, that "crushing" and "bruising" happens in the New Testament, and the encounter begins in another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus is betrayed and arrested.

From Fox News • Feb. 14, 2022

Pence is a devout Christian, and he is surely intimately familiar with Jesus’ prayers in the garden of Gethsemane.

From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2022

Significant biblical events like the Last Supper, praying in Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ crucifixion are all included.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 7, 2021

And now came the time of Francie’s Gethsemane.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith