Brief Overview of ἅρμα (G716: hárma)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: hárma

Root Words:

• ἅρμα (hárma): Derived from the root word meaning “to lift” or “to bear.”

Primary Meanings:

• Chariot: The primary meaning of ἅρμα is “chariot,” which refers to a wheeled vehicle used in ancient times for transportation and warfare.
• Carriage: It can also mean a carriage or cart used for transporting goods or people.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἅρμα as “chariot” or “carriage.” It describes the term as a vehicle used in ancient transportation and warfare, emphasizing its role in military and ceremonial contexts.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon supports BDAG’s definition, noting that ἅρμα refers to a chariot or vehicle, often used in historical and biblical texts to denote a wheeled carriage or chariot.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary describes ἅρμα as “chariot,” focusing on its use in both secular and ceremonial contexts.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἅρμα as a “chariot,” providing examples of its use in various Greek writings to denote both ceremonial and practical vehicles.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies ἅρμα as “chariot,” noting its use in ancient texts to refer to vehicles used in warfare and transportation.

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Bible Verses:

• Matthew 21:5 (KJV): “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
• In this context, the term ἅρμα is used metaphorically to denote a king’s arrival, contrasting with the chariot.
• Revelation 9:9 (KJV): “And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.”
• Here, ἅρμα is used to describe chariots in a vivid, apocalyptic vision.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classical Greek literature, ἅρμα is frequently used to denote chariots and other vehicles:

• Homer’s “Iliad”: The term is used to describe chariots used in warfare, illustrating their importance in battle.
• Herodotus’ “Histories”: Chariots are mentioned as part of the military equipment and transportation of ancient armies.
• Plato’s “Phaedrus”: The metaphorical use of chariots in philosophical discussions highlights their symbolic significance in Greek thought.

4. Summary:

The term ἅρμα (G716: hárma) primarily means “chariot” or “carriage,” referring to wheeled vehicles used for transportation and warfare in ancient times. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s all define ἅρμα in similar terms, emphasizing its role in both practical and ceremonial contexts. Classic Greek literature further illustrates its significance, depicting chariots in historical, military, and philosophical settings.