What does the word “tradition” mean?

The answer

In Greek, the word “tradition” ― as found in the New Testament ― is “paradosis,” and it does not mean “imitation.” Its cognate verb is “paradidomi,” which can be translated as “to commit something to another person” or “handing something over.” A closely associated verb is “paralambano,” which means “to accept something” or “to receive.” In Hebrew, these two terms correspond to “nasar” (“to hand over” or “to deliver”) and “qibbel” (“to accept something” or “to receive”).¹⁹¹ Thus, the word tradition does not mean simply “mimicking the past.” Biblically, it means to hand over something precious. One generation delivers the faith, and another receives it.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty