Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for elementary, stoicheion, G4747.

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Strong’s number: G4747

Greek Lexical Dictionary: Strong’s #4747 – στοιχεῖον

Greek Word: στοιχεῖον, ου, τό

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Transliteration: stoicheion

Phonetic Spelling: (stoy-khi’-on)

Quick Definition: one of a row, a letter (of the alphabet), the elements (of knowledge)

Usage: (a) plur: the heavenly bodies, (b) a rudiment, an element, a rudimentary principle, an elementary rule.

Etymology: from stoichos (a row)

NASB Translation: elemental things (2), elementary principles (2), elementary* (1), elements (2), principles (1).

New Testament Usage

Gal 4:3; Gal 4:9; Col 2:8; Col 2:20;

Heb 5:12; 2Pe 3:10; 2Pe 3:12.

Not used in the Septuagint.

Englishman’s concordance: στοιχεῖον (stoicheion)

Lexicons

Thayers G4747:

1. any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise, an element, first principal
   1. the letters of the alphabet as the elements of speech, not however the written characters, but the spoken sounds
   2. the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe
   3. the heavenly bodies, either as parts of the heavens or (as others think) because in them the elements of man, life and destiny were supposed to reside
   4. the elements, rudiments, primary and fundamental principles of any art, science, or discipline
      1. i.e. of mathematics, Euclid’s geometry

Strongs G4747: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of G4748; something orderly in arrangement, that is, (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively): – element, principle, rudiment.

Mounce G4747: principle, basic principle; element (of nature); elementary truths

Related Words: G4748;

Hebrew equivalent words:

Precepts Austin: stoicheion

A stoicheion was originally a line of things as for example a line of soldiers, but came to refer to the ABC’s, and then to any elementary knowledge. Stoicheion also refers to any first thing from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise. It originally denoted the line (rank) of elements and hence, the basic order of a structure.  Stoicheia (plural, “elements”) therefore can refer to the basic constituents (make up) of the cosmic and human order.

Reference works

09 Galatians 4:1-11 Sons and slaves

05 Colossians 2:4-15 The Work of our Hands

06 Colossians 2:16-23 Passing Judgment

14 2Peter 3:10-18 The Second coming and what it means for today

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