IT'S GREEK TO ME!
This page is not intended to be an in depth study. It is meant to give you a head start and point you in the direction. For each of the words given, there will be a brief definition followed by some examples of the word's use in scripture. In most cases I have not given every occurrence of the word. I've left that up to you in your studies. When the word is used by the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) I will include it. Again, I will not list every time it is used. The words will not be in any particular order. Should you need an exhaustive list of a word and haven't time to study, you can e-mail me at the bottom of the page. I will be adding periodically.
KEY FOR USAGE:
All Greek words are in yellow
English definitions are in orange
How the word is translated in the Bible is in light blue and underlined
Verses the Greek word is used (most times, not every verse is listed)
English words directly coming from the Greek words are in light purple and italics
KEY FOR USAGE:
All Greek words are in yellow
English definitions are in orange
How the word is translated in the Bible is in light blue and underlined
Verses the Greek word is used (most times, not every verse is listed)
English words directly coming from the Greek words are in light purple and italics
PERIPOIESIS peri (through or around) poieo (to make or do)
To obtain through the act of someone else 1 Thes. 5:9; 2 Thes. 2:14
Acquired or purchased possession Eph. 1:14
Peculiar (in the sense of the only one to the exclusion of others) 1 Pet. 2:9
Saving (as of the soul) Heb. 10:39
Jewels Mal. 3:17
Recover 2 Chr. 14:13
APHORIZO apo (off, apart, away) horizo (to mark, bound, devide, separate)
Separate, separated Is. 56:3; Acts 19:9; Rom. 1:1; 2 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 1:5; Gal. 2:2
Shut up (as to separate an infected person from the rest of the people) Lev. 13:5
We get our word "horizon" from the root of this word. If you read the above verses with a picture of a horizon in your mind,
they will come to life! Think of the dividing line of demarkation between light and dark. One cannot enter into the other.
PHARMAKEIA Witchcraft/sorceries Ex. 7:22; Is. 47:9,12; Gal. 5:20; Rev. 18:23
We get our word "pharmacy" from this word.
KATEGORIA kata(against) goria (the town square or public gathering)
Accuse/accusation Lk. 6:7; Jn. 18:29; Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 5:19
Our word "catagory" comes from here.
OURANOS Air Ps. 8:8; Acts 10:12; 11:16 many others
Heaven Gen. 1:1; Mt. 3:2; Col. 1:5 many others
Sky Dt. 33:26; Heb. 11:12 many others
The name of planet "Uranus" comes from here
SELENAIZOMAI selene(the moon)
moon struck, crazy
Lunatic Mt. 4:24; 17:15 only
Luna= Latin word for "moon"
EKLEGO ek(out) lego(to call)
Choose, chosen Gen. 6:2; Josh. 24:22; Lk. 6:13; Eph. 1:4; others
Our word "eclectic" comes from this
ISOTIMOS isos(equal, like, similar) timos(value, price)
like precious 2Pet. 1:1 only
ALAZONEIA brag or boast
boastings Jam. 4:16 only
pride 1 Jn. 2:16 only
KATOIKETERION kata(at, about) oikeo(residence, dwelling place)
habitation Ex. 12:20; Jer. 9:11; Eph. 2:22; Rev. 18:2 others only in O.T.
EKDIKESIS ek(from, origin) dike(right, justice)
avenge, revenge, vindicate
Avenge(d) Jer. 46:10; Lk. 18:8; Acts 7:24 others in OT only
Punishment 1 Pet. 2:14
Revenge 2 Cor. 7:11 others only in OT
Vengeance Ps. 58:10; Jer. 50:15; Rom. 12:19; 2 Thes. 1:8; Heb. 10:30 others only in OT
Judgment Ex. 12:12; EZ. 14:21 others in OT only
KAUTERIAZO a derivative of kaio(to set on fire, burn, kindle, consume, brand)
Seared with a hot iron 1 Tim. 4:2 only here
Our word "cauterize" is from this
HOLOKAUTOMA holos(whole, all, complete) kaio( set on fire, burn, consume)
Burnt offerings Every OT verse mentioning sacrifices and burnt offerings; MK. 12:33; Heb. 10:6,8 only places in NT
We get our word "Holocost" from this which is very wrongly applied to the atrocities of the Jews. The burnt offerings were
pleasing to God. What happened to the Jews was not.
ARCHE beginning, origin
Began, beginning Gen. 1:1; Ps. 111:10; Jn. 1:1; Col. 1:18; Heb. 2:3 many others OT only
Corners Acts 10:11; Acts 11:15 only here
Estate Jude 1:6 only here
First Acts 26:4; Heb. 5:12 only here
Power Lk. 20:20 only here
Principality Eph. 1:21; Col. 2:10 only here
Principles Heb. 6:1 only here
Rule 1 Cor. 15:24 only here
Heads Ex. 6:25; Mic. 3:1 many others OT only
"Archeology" and "arch" enemy come from this
ETHELO to be inclined toward something. Delight in. Love
Desire(ing,ous) Hos. 6:6; Ps. 22:8; Lk. 8:20; 2 Cor. 11:12,32; Gal. 6:12, 13; many others
Love Mk. 12:38
Pleased 1 Cor. 12:18; 15:38; only here
There are many other translated words and occurrences for this word.
AGAPAO To love, regard with strong affection Ruth 4:15; Jn. 3:35; 2 Cor. 9:7; Rev. 3:9 others
To love as to superiors serving faithfully Ex. 20:6; 1 Sam. 18:16; Lk. 16:13, Jam. 1:12 others
Favor, goodwill. Or to wish favor or benevolence Mk. 10:21; Mt. 5:43,44 others
PHILEO friend, friendly, fondness. To be distinguished from passion and sex.
Love Gen. 27:9; 37:4; Jn. 21:15,16; 1 Cor.16:22; Rev. 22:15 others
We get words like "philanthropist" and "Philadelphia" from here.
For an interesting study in verses using both agapao and phileo, click here
DUNAMIS duna(able, capable, possible)
Might Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:11 many others
Strength Job 39:19; Heb.11:11; many others
Power(s) Lk. 1:17; Rom. 8:38; many others
"Dynomite, dynamics," come from this word.
EKKLESIA ek(out, from, of) kaleo(to call)
Assembly Acts 19:32,39,41 only
Church(es) Rom. 16:1; Gal. 1:13; many others
Together Acts 14:27 only
We get "ecclesiastic" from here
SKUBALON eis(towards, to, at, in the direction of) kuon(dog) ballo(to throw)
That which is thrown to the dogs
Dung Phlp. 3:8 only
SOTERIA Deliverance, salvation
Deliver Acts 7:25 only
Health Acts 27:34 only
Perfect Heb. 2:10
Safety Ps. 12:5 others
Salvation Gen. 49:18; Rom. 1:16; Rev. 7:10; many others
Save(d,ing) Lk. 1:71; Rom. 10:1; Heb. 11:7 Others in OT only
KLEPTES A thief
Thief(ves) Ex. 22:1; Joel 2:9; Jn. 12:6; 1Thes. 5:2,4; Pet. 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:10 others
"Kleptomaniac" comes from this
PAIDAGOGOS pais(child)agogos(leader)
A teacher, tutor, instructor
Instructor 1 Cor. 4:15 only here
Schoolmaster Gal. 3:24,25 only here
"Pedagogue" comes from this
BLASPHEMO blapto(hinder, injure, hurt) pheme(a saying, rumor)
Blaspheme(r, ers, ous) 1 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 3:2; Acts 6:11,13 only here
Railing 2 Pet. 2:11 only here
Blessed an idol Is. 66:3 only here
"Blaspheme" and "fame" and their variants come from this
ORGE Desire, violent passion, anger wrath
Anger 2 Sam. 12:5; Pr. 21:14; Mk. 3:5; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8 others OT only
Indignation Rev. 14:10 only here
Wrath Gen. 39:19; Rom. 1:8; Heb. 3:11; 1 Thes. 2:16; many others
Provoke(ing) Dt. 32:19
Though it looks quite similar, our word "orgy" IS NOT from this. It comes from the Greek word ergon which means "work".
THERAPEUO To attend, wait upon, heal, cure
Cure(d) Mt. 17:16,18; Jn. 5:10; others
Heal(ed, ing) Acts 4:14; Rev. 13:3,12; many others
Worshipped Acts 17:25 only here
Sat Est. 2:19
Entreat Pr. 19:6; only
Seek Pr. 29:26 only
Servants Is. 54:17 only
Our words "therapy", "therapeutic", "therapist" etc. stem from this word
POIEMA Something made. handcraft.
Things that are made Rom. 1:20 only
Workmanship Eph. 2:10 only
Work Ps. 143:5; Ecc. 3:11; Is. 29:16
Our word "poem" comes from this. We are God's "poem" Eph. 2:10
POIETES Maker, producer, author, performer
Doer Jam. 1:22,23,25; 4:11; Rom. 2:13
Poets Acts 17:28
Naturally, our word "poet" is from this
KATASTROPHE kata(downward, through, out) strepho(to turn, turn around)
Overthrow Gen. 19:29; 2 Pet. 2:6
Subverting 2 Tim. 2:14
Destruction Pr. 1:27
Whirlwind Hos. 8:7
Our obvious word is "catastrophe"
Plasma To mold, shape, fabricate, as from wax or clay
Formed Rom. 9:20
Framed Ps. 103:14; Is. 29:16
Work Hab. 2:18
"Plasma" (which gives blood its shape) is from here
To obtain through the act of someone else 1 Thes. 5:9; 2 Thes. 2:14
Acquired or purchased possession Eph. 1:14
Peculiar (in the sense of the only one to the exclusion of others) 1 Pet. 2:9
Saving (as of the soul) Heb. 10:39
Jewels Mal. 3:17
Recover 2 Chr. 14:13
APHORIZO apo (off, apart, away) horizo (to mark, bound, devide, separate)
Separate, separated Is. 56:3; Acts 19:9; Rom. 1:1; 2 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 1:5; Gal. 2:2
Shut up (as to separate an infected person from the rest of the people) Lev. 13:5
We get our word "horizon" from the root of this word. If you read the above verses with a picture of a horizon in your mind,
they will come to life! Think of the dividing line of demarkation between light and dark. One cannot enter into the other.
PHARMAKEIA Witchcraft/sorceries Ex. 7:22; Is. 47:9,12; Gal. 5:20; Rev. 18:23
We get our word "pharmacy" from this word.
KATEGORIA kata(against) goria (the town square or public gathering)
Accuse/accusation Lk. 6:7; Jn. 18:29; Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 5:19
Our word "catagory" comes from here.
OURANOS Air Ps. 8:8; Acts 10:12; 11:16 many others
Heaven Gen. 1:1; Mt. 3:2; Col. 1:5 many others
Sky Dt. 33:26; Heb. 11:12 many others
The name of planet "Uranus" comes from here
SELENAIZOMAI selene(the moon)
moon struck, crazy
Lunatic Mt. 4:24; 17:15 only
Luna= Latin word for "moon"
EKLEGO ek(out) lego(to call)
Choose, chosen Gen. 6:2; Josh. 24:22; Lk. 6:13; Eph. 1:4; others
Our word "eclectic" comes from this
ISOTIMOS isos(equal, like, similar) timos(value, price)
like precious 2Pet. 1:1 only
ALAZONEIA brag or boast
boastings Jam. 4:16 only
pride 1 Jn. 2:16 only
KATOIKETERION kata(at, about) oikeo(residence, dwelling place)
habitation Ex. 12:20; Jer. 9:11; Eph. 2:22; Rev. 18:2 others only in O.T.
EKDIKESIS ek(from, origin) dike(right, justice)
avenge, revenge, vindicate
Avenge(d) Jer. 46:10; Lk. 18:8; Acts 7:24 others in OT only
Punishment 1 Pet. 2:14
Revenge 2 Cor. 7:11 others only in OT
Vengeance Ps. 58:10; Jer. 50:15; Rom. 12:19; 2 Thes. 1:8; Heb. 10:30 others only in OT
Judgment Ex. 12:12; EZ. 14:21 others in OT only
KAUTERIAZO a derivative of kaio(to set on fire, burn, kindle, consume, brand)
Seared with a hot iron 1 Tim. 4:2 only here
Our word "cauterize" is from this
HOLOKAUTOMA holos(whole, all, complete) kaio( set on fire, burn, consume)
Burnt offerings Every OT verse mentioning sacrifices and burnt offerings; MK. 12:33; Heb. 10:6,8 only places in NT
We get our word "Holocost" from this which is very wrongly applied to the atrocities of the Jews. The burnt offerings were
pleasing to God. What happened to the Jews was not.
ARCHE beginning, origin
Began, beginning Gen. 1:1; Ps. 111:10; Jn. 1:1; Col. 1:18; Heb. 2:3 many others OT only
Corners Acts 10:11; Acts 11:15 only here
Estate Jude 1:6 only here
First Acts 26:4; Heb. 5:12 only here
Power Lk. 20:20 only here
Principality Eph. 1:21; Col. 2:10 only here
Principles Heb. 6:1 only here
Rule 1 Cor. 15:24 only here
Heads Ex. 6:25; Mic. 3:1 many others OT only
"Archeology" and "arch" enemy come from this
ETHELO to be inclined toward something. Delight in. Love
Desire(ing,ous) Hos. 6:6; Ps. 22:8; Lk. 8:20; 2 Cor. 11:12,32; Gal. 6:12, 13; many others
Love Mk. 12:38
Pleased 1 Cor. 12:18; 15:38; only here
There are many other translated words and occurrences for this word.
AGAPAO To love, regard with strong affection Ruth 4:15; Jn. 3:35; 2 Cor. 9:7; Rev. 3:9 others
To love as to superiors serving faithfully Ex. 20:6; 1 Sam. 18:16; Lk. 16:13, Jam. 1:12 others
Favor, goodwill. Or to wish favor or benevolence Mk. 10:21; Mt. 5:43,44 others
PHILEO friend, friendly, fondness. To be distinguished from passion and sex.
Love Gen. 27:9; 37:4; Jn. 21:15,16; 1 Cor.16:22; Rev. 22:15 others
We get words like "philanthropist" and "Philadelphia" from here.
For an interesting study in verses using both agapao and phileo, click here
DUNAMIS duna(able, capable, possible)
Might Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:11 many others
Strength Job 39:19; Heb.11:11; many others
Power(s) Lk. 1:17; Rom. 8:38; many others
"Dynomite, dynamics," come from this word.
EKKLESIA ek(out, from, of) kaleo(to call)
Assembly Acts 19:32,39,41 only
Church(es) Rom. 16:1; Gal. 1:13; many others
Together Acts 14:27 only
We get "ecclesiastic" from here
SKUBALON eis(towards, to, at, in the direction of) kuon(dog) ballo(to throw)
That which is thrown to the dogs
Dung Phlp. 3:8 only
SOTERIA Deliverance, salvation
Deliver Acts 7:25 only
Health Acts 27:34 only
Perfect Heb. 2:10
Safety Ps. 12:5 others
Salvation Gen. 49:18; Rom. 1:16; Rev. 7:10; many others
Save(d,ing) Lk. 1:71; Rom. 10:1; Heb. 11:7 Others in OT only
KLEPTES A thief
Thief(ves) Ex. 22:1; Joel 2:9; Jn. 12:6; 1Thes. 5:2,4; Pet. 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:10 others
"Kleptomaniac" comes from this
PAIDAGOGOS pais(child)agogos(leader)
A teacher, tutor, instructor
Instructor 1 Cor. 4:15 only here
Schoolmaster Gal. 3:24,25 only here
"Pedagogue" comes from this
BLASPHEMO blapto(hinder, injure, hurt) pheme(a saying, rumor)
Blaspheme(r, ers, ous) 1 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 3:2; Acts 6:11,13 only here
Railing 2 Pet. 2:11 only here
Blessed an idol Is. 66:3 only here
"Blaspheme" and "fame" and their variants come from this
ORGE Desire, violent passion, anger wrath
Anger 2 Sam. 12:5; Pr. 21:14; Mk. 3:5; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8 others OT only
Indignation Rev. 14:10 only here
Wrath Gen. 39:19; Rom. 1:8; Heb. 3:11; 1 Thes. 2:16; many others
Provoke(ing) Dt. 32:19
Though it looks quite similar, our word "orgy" IS NOT from this. It comes from the Greek word ergon which means "work".
THERAPEUO To attend, wait upon, heal, cure
Cure(d) Mt. 17:16,18; Jn. 5:10; others
Heal(ed, ing) Acts 4:14; Rev. 13:3,12; many others
Worshipped Acts 17:25 only here
Sat Est. 2:19
Entreat Pr. 19:6; only
Seek Pr. 29:26 only
Servants Is. 54:17 only
Our words "therapy", "therapeutic", "therapist" etc. stem from this word
POIEMA Something made. handcraft.
Things that are made Rom. 1:20 only
Workmanship Eph. 2:10 only
Work Ps. 143:5; Ecc. 3:11; Is. 29:16
Our word "poem" comes from this. We are God's "poem" Eph. 2:10
POIETES Maker, producer, author, performer
Doer Jam. 1:22,23,25; 4:11; Rom. 2:13
Poets Acts 17:28
Naturally, our word "poet" is from this
KATASTROPHE kata(downward, through, out) strepho(to turn, turn around)
Overthrow Gen. 19:29; 2 Pet. 2:6
Subverting 2 Tim. 2:14
Destruction Pr. 1:27
Whirlwind Hos. 8:7
Our obvious word is "catastrophe"
Plasma To mold, shape, fabricate, as from wax or clay
Formed Rom. 9:20
Framed Ps. 103:14; Is. 29:16
Work Hab. 2:18
"Plasma" (which gives blood its shape) is from here