Brief Overview of δῆμος (G1218: dêmos)

Transliteration: dêmos (pronounced day-moss)
Part of Speech: Masculine Noun
Root Word: Derived from the verb dao (G1210), which means “to divide” or “to distribute.”

The term δῆμος (dêmos) primarily refers to the “people” or “population” of a region, often used in the context of a political body or assembly. It can signify the common people, as opposed to the elite or aristocracy. In ancient Greece, the word was frequently associated with the democratic assemblies where citizens participated in decision-making processes. It also came to be used to describe a district or division of a country or city, reflecting its roots in the idea of distribution or division.

Scripture References

1.  Acts 19:30 - “And when Paul was about to go in to the people (δῆμος), the disciples would not allow him.”
2.  Acts 19:33 - “Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly (δῆμος).”

Detailed Lexicon Description

In the BDAG lexicon, dêmos is defined as “the populace or the people as a whole, often in contrast to the elite or ruling class.” It also denotes a group of people, often organized within a political or social structure. Thayer’s lexicon similarly emphasizes the democratic or communal aspect of the word, relating it to the citizens of a state who are entitled to participate in governance. LSJ broadens the definition to include any division of people, particularly in a civic context.

Dêmos appears in the New Testament, notably in Acts 19, where it describes the general populace or the assembly gathered during a tumultuous event in Ephesus. In this context, dêmos is used to refer to the assembly or group of people who were involved in the uproar, showing its application in describing a collective group within a civic or social setting.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1.  Herodotus, Histories 3.80 - Herodotus uses dêmos to refer to the general populace of a city, distinguishing them from the ruling class or specific political leaders.
2.  Aristophanes, Ecclesiazusae 113 - In Aristophanes’ comedy, dêmos is used to describe the assembly of citizens, highlighting the democratic process in Athenian society.
3.  Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 2.65 - Thucydides uses the term to describe the collective will or decision of the Athenian people, showing how the dêmos could influence the course of the war through their assembly.

Summary

The word δῆμος (dêmos) holds a significant place in both classical and biblical literature, reflecting the concept of the populace or the people, particularly in a democratic or civic context. It underscores the importance of the collective body of citizens in decision-making and governance. In the New Testament, its usage in Acts emphasizes the role of the people in public assemblies, connecting the term to its classical roots in the democratic practices of ancient Greece. Dêmos remains a powerful word symbolizing the voice and power of the people within a community or society.

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