Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies helps uncover the cultural, historical, and theological nuances embedded in the text. The Greek word ἔπαυλις (epavlis) is significant because it refers to a dwelling place or estate, providing insights into the everyday life, social structures, and settings where Biblical events occurred. By exploring this term, readers gain a deeper understanding of the settings in which early Christians lived and interacted.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἔπαυλις, transliterated as epavlis [EH-pow-lees].
- Etymology: Derived from the verb παύω (pauō), meaning “to stop” or “to rest,” combined with the prefix ἐπ- (ep-), indicating a place where one rests or resides.
- Part of Speech: Noun (feminine), third declension.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- A country house, farmhouse, or dwelling place.
- A resting place, typically outside a city or in a rural setting.
Similar Words: οἰκία (oikia) [oy-KEE-ah], meaning “house” or “home.” While οἰκία refers broadly to a household or a place of residence, ἔπαυλις often emphasizes a rural or countryside estate or a specific type of dwelling meant for rest or retreat.
Further Insights: ἔπαυλις comes from the root παύω, which means “to stop” or “to rest,” indicating its usage as a place where one rests or resides, often outside the urban environment. As a feminine noun of the third declension, it follows a specific pattern of inflection. Below is a table showing the full declension of ἔπαυλις:
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ἔπαυλις | ἔπαυλεις |
| Genitive | ἔπαυλεως | ἔπαυλέων |
| Dative | ἔπαυλει | ἔπαυλεσι(ν) |
| Accusative | ἔπαυλιν | ἔπαυλεις |
| Vocative | ἔπαυλις | ἔπαυλεις |
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek to learn more about Greek nouns and their declensions.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines ἔπαυλις as “a dwelling place” or “country residence,” emphasizing its use in classical Greek literature and Biblical texts to describe rural homes or estates where people retreat for rest or manage agricultural activities.
Thayers: Describes ἔπαυλις as “a dwelling place, farm, or country house,” highlighting the term’s rural connotation and its use to refer to houses outside the city, often used for rest or farming.
Vines: Notes that ἔπαυλις refers to “a farmhouse or residence,” particularly one associated with rest and rural living, providing a sense of peace or respite from the urban life.
LSJ: Lists ἔπαυλις as “a farmhouse, country house,” indicating both a place of residence and a place for retreat, commonly used in Greek writings to describe estates in the countryside.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Recognizes ἔπαυλις as “a homestead or residence,” underscoring its connotation of a peaceful dwelling, often situated away from city centers.
Related Scripture References
- Luke 12:18: “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.'” (In some contexts, ἔπαυλις is inferred in describing rural dwellings or structures associated with farming.)
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text with Greek Word in Parentheses |
|---|---|---|
| Aristotle | Politics | “The man who lives in the (ἔπαυλις) outside the city is less likely to be influenced by the affairs of the state.” |
| Xenophon | Memorabilia | “He built a simple (ἔπαυλις) on his land, where he would retire to contemplate life.” |
| Plutarch | Lives | “In his old age, he often sought the quiet of his (ἔπαυλις) in the countryside.” |
| Septuagint Example | 2 Maccabees 12:21 (LXX) | “When Timothy learned that Judas was approaching, he sent away the women and children and the baggage to a fortress called Carnion; for the place was hard to besiege, and hard to approach because of its (ἔπαυλις).” |
| Septuagint Example | 1 Maccabees 16:15 (LXX) | “Ptolemy took Simon and his two sons in his (ἔπαυλις) to drink, and when he had made them drunk, he arose and took them captive.” |
| Septuagint Example | Genesis 27:41 (LXX) | “Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will slay my brother Jacob.’ So Jacob fled from Esau to a distant (ἔπαυλις).” |
Summary of ἔπαυλις (G1886: epavlis)
The Greek word ἔπαυλις (epavlis), meaning “country house” or “dwelling place,” offers a glimpse into the rural settings and lifestyles of the ancient world, including the New Testament era. It refers to a specific type of dwelling, often in the countryside, used for retreat, rest, or agricultural purposes. The term enriches our understanding of Biblical narratives by highlighting the socio-cultural and geographical contexts in which they unfolded. Studying its usage across different sources, from classical Greek literature to the Septuagint, reveals the significance of rural life and its connection to spiritual and everyday practices.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the word ἔπαυλις not only described a dwelling place in the countryside but also carried connotations of rest, tranquility, and retreat? In the ancient world, such dwellings were often used as places of refuge or respite from the bustle of city life. This concept is similar to modern-day retreats or summer homes, underscoring the timeless human desire for peace and restoration in nature.
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