Quick Definition
a manger, feeding-trough
Strong's Definition
a crib (for fodder)
Derivation: from (to eat);
KJV Usage: manager, stall
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
φάτνη, φάτνης, ἡ ((πατέομαι to eat; Vanicek, p. 445)), a crib, manger: Luk_2:7; Luk_2:12; Luk_2:16; Luk_13:15. (From Homer down; the Sept. for ΰΕαεΜρ, Job_39:9; Pro_14:4; Isa_1:3; plural for ψΐτΘϊΔιν, Hab_3:17.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
φάτνη phatnē 4x
a manger, stall, Luk_2:7 ; Luk_2:12 ; Luk_2:16 ; Luk_13:15
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
φάτνη , -ης , ἡ ,
[in LXX for H18 , etc.;]
a manger: Luk_2:7 ; Luk_2:12 ; Luk_2:16 ; Luk_13:15 ( v. DB , iii, 234a, DCG , ii, 111a),†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
φάτην [page 665]
That the traditional rendering manger, feeding-trough, in Luk. 2:7; 2:12; 2:16; 13:15, is correct may be confirmed by P Lille I. 17 .15 (iii/B.C.) (as read in Berichtigungen , p. 202) τὸ σ̣[ειτ ]άριον ἑν̣ὶ φάτ [ν ]ηι , and P Oxy XIV. 17341 i i (ii/iii A.D.), where mention is made of εἰς φάτνας and χορ ]τ̣οθήκης . See, however, Cadbury in JBL xlv. (1926), p. 317ff., who comes to the conclusion that this much at least is probable, that φάτην is a place in the open and that the clause which follows emphasizes the absence of shelter.
Thumb ( Hellen. p. 71) conjectures that the form πάθνη , which survives in MGr, is an Ionism taken over by the Κοινή : see Thackeray Gr. i. p. 106, and Herwerden Lex. s.v. In P Lips I. 106 .9 (A.D. 98) Πάθνη is apparently a place-name.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
φάτνη φάτνη, ἡ, "a manger, crib, feeding-trough", Hom. , Hdt. , attic [Etym: Prob. from Root *p*a*t, πατέομαι.]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
φάτνη, -ης, ἡ
[in LXX for אֵבוּס, etc. ;]
a manger: Luk.2:7, 12 2:16 13:15 (see DB, iii, 234a, DCG, ii, 111a),†
(AS)