Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription
Latin stone naming the market where meat 'sold in the shambles' came from
Found 1898 — American School of Classical Studies at Athens (found 1898; published by A. B. West, Corinth VIII.2, 1931, with further fragments by J. H. Kent, Corinth VIII.3, 1966)
Where Ancient Corinth (Greece)
Dates from Augustan period (late 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE) · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's letters to Corinth
Now at Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, Greece
How Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription was found
Fragmentary Latin inscription found in 1898 during the American excavations; it records a gift by the Cornelius family of a macellum (market) with fish-selling facilities.
What it is
A broken marble block with Latin text including the word MACELLVM, the standard Roman term for a food market selling meat and fish. Related shop buildings with wells for keeping food cool line the forum and the Lechaion Road.
Why it matters for the Bible
In 1 Corinthians 10:25 Shaul (Paul) tells believers, 'Eat whatever is sold in the makellon (meat market) without asking questions.' The Greek word is a loan from Latin macellum, and this inscription shows Corinth had exactly such a market by name. It helps readers see the real question behind Paul's advice: meat in the market often came from temple sacrifices.
The Hebrew word: SHOOK
שׁוּק
שׁוּק is pronounced SHOOK and means market (Greek makellon, from Latin macellum) (Strong's G3111).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
Places
- Corinth — קוֹרִינְתּוֹס (ko-REEN-tos) — Greek Korinthos
Events
Dispute over food offered to idols in the Corinthian assembly
Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription in Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:25 Paul uses the very word makellon; the inscription shows Corinth's market by that name.
Questions people ask
What is Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription?
A broken marble block with Latin text including the word MACELLVM, the standard Roman term for a food market selling meat and fish. Related shop buildings with wells for keeping food cool line the forum and the Lechaion Road.
When was Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription discovered?
It was found in 1898 by American School of Classical Studies at Athens (found 1898; published by A. B. West, Corinth VIII.2, 1931, with further fragments by J. H. Kent, Corinth VIII.3, 1966), at Ancient Corinth.
Where is Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription today?
Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, Greece.
Which Bible verses does Corinth Meat Market (Macellum) Inscription relate to?
1 Corinthians 10:25.
Related discoveries
- סוֹכֵןErastus Inscription (Corinth)Pavement laid by an aedile named Erastus — possibly Paul's friend the city treasurer
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןTheater of CorinthRoman theater beside the Erastus pavement, seat of the city's public life
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
- בֵּימָהThe Bema at CorinthThe judgment platform in the forum where Paul stood before Gallio
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
Sources
- H. J. Cadbury, 'The Macellum of Corinth', JBL 53 (1934)
- J. H. Kent, Corinth VIII.3: The Inscriptions 1926–1950 (1966)
- D. W. J. Gill, "The Meat-Market at Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:25)", Tyndale Bulletin 43 (1992)
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