Bible Dictionary
Napkin
A napkin was a cloth used for wiping, wrapping money, or covering the head. In Jesus’ parable, a servant wrapped his master’s money in one instead of putting it to work.
Definition
A napkin was a cloth used for wiping sweat from the face. It could also serve as a wrapper for money or as a head covering or handkerchief.
Biblical Usage
In Jesus’ parable, an unprofitable servant wrapped his lord’s money in a napkin instead of using it. The word also describes the cloth around Lazarus and the separate cloth associated with Jesus’ head.
Historical Background
The term derives from the Latin sudarium, meaning a sweat-cloth, and the Greek soudarion.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Gr. soudarion, John 11:44; 20:7; Lat. sudarium, a “sweat-cloth”), a cloth for wiping the sweat from the face. But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luke 19:20), and as an article of dress, a “handkerchief” worn on the head (Acts 19:12).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>nap'-kin (soudarion; Latin sudarium): In Lu 19:20, the cloth in which the "unprofitable servant" wrapped the money of his lord; compare Joh 11:44; 20:7; see DRESS, sec. 7; HANDKERCHIEF.</p>