Brief Overview of δημόσιος (G1219: dēmosios)

Transliteration: dēmosios (pronounced day-moh-see-os)
Part of Speech: Adjective
Root Word: Derived from δῆμος (dēmos), meaning “people” or “population.”

The word δημόσιος (dēmosios) is an adjective that primarily means “public” or “belonging to the people.” It describes something that pertains to the community or state as a whole, as opposed to something that is private or personal. The term is often used in contexts related to public service, official duties, or resources shared by the populace. In classical Greek, it could refer to public property, state officials, or anything under public control.

Scripture References

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1. Acts 5:18 – “They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public (δημόσιος) jail.”
2. Acts 16:37 – “But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us in public (δημόσιος) without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now they are sending us away secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and bring us out.'”

Detailed Lexicon Description

In BDAG, dēmosios is defined as an adjective meaning “public” or “pertaining to the people or state.” It is often used to describe public places, offices, or functions that are under the jurisdiction of the state or community. Thayer’s lexicon echoes this understanding, noting that dēmosios refers to anything related to the public domain, whether it be property, offices, or legal matters. The LSJ lexicon broadens the definition to include public acts or decrees, indicating that the term was widely used in legal and governmental contexts.

In the New Testament, dēmosios is used in Acts to describe public spaces or actions, such as a public jail where the apostles were imprisoned or the public beating that Paul and Silas endured. The usage of this term highlights the official or state-controlled nature of these events, emphasizing their public significance.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1. Herodotus, Histories 1.59 – Herodotus uses dēmosios to describe public property or resources that belong to the state, distinguishing them from private holdings.
2. Plato, Laws 6.768d – In Plato’s dialogue, dēmosios is used to describe public offices and officials who are responsible for the administration of the state, reflecting the term’s association with governance and public service.
3. Xenophon, Hellenica 1.7.6 – Xenophon uses the term to describe public decrees or proclamations issued by the state, further illustrating its connection to civic life and public authority.

Summary

The adjective δημόσιος (dēmosios) carries the meaning of “public” or “belonging to the people,” and is rooted in the concept of the dēmos or populace. In both biblical and classical Greek contexts, the term is used to describe public spaces, officials, or actions that are under the control or jurisdiction of the state. The New Testament usage emphasizes the official nature of certain events, such as the imprisonment of the apostles, by describing them as public or state-controlled. In classical literature, dēmosios is consistently used in contexts related to governance, public service, and state property, reflecting the broader cultural and political significance of the term in ancient Greek society. This word encapsulates the idea of collective ownership and responsibility, distinguishing public matters from those that are private or individual.