Definition

Proper noun 1. The site of Jesus's crucifixion: Golgotha is the name of the hill outside ancient Jerusalem where, according to the New Testament, Jesus Christ was crucified. The name is of Aramaic origin, meaning "place of the skull."

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • According to the Gospels, Jesus was led to Golgotha to be crucified.
  • Pilgrims visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is traditionally believed to encompass the site of Golgotha.

Advanced Usage

• "a Golgotha" (figurative, literary): Used metaphorically to describe a place of great suffering, torment, or sacrifice.
  • The battlefield became a Golgotha for thousands of young soldiers.

Variants and Related Words

• Calvary: This is the Latin-derived name (from , meaning "skull") for the same location. "Calvary" is often used interchangeably with "Golgotha" in Christian theology and hymns.

Synonyms

• Calvary (n): The Latin name for the same site.
• Place of the Skull (n): The direct English translation of "Golgotha."

Related Idioms

• "carry one's cross to Golgotha" (literary): To endure a great and inevitable burden or suffering, often with a sense of destiny or sacrifice. This idiom directly references the biblical narrative of Jesus carrying the cross to the hill.
  • He felt he was carrying his cross to Golgotha as he faced the overwhelming task alone.

Noun

1. a hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified