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Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies can reveal deeper meanings and cultural contexts that are often missed in translations. The Greek word θυρωρός (thyrōrós) is particularly significant as it refers to a “doorkeeper” or “gatekeeper.” This word is crucial for understanding the social and cultural roles within households, cities, and institutions in both the New Testament period and ancient Greek culture. It provides insight into themes of authority, responsibility, and vigilance that are important in biblical interpretation.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: θυρωρός (thyrōrós) [thoo-ro-ROS]
- Etymology: Derived from the root words θύρα (thýra), meaning “door,” and ὁράω (horaó), meaning “to see” or “to guard,” combining to form the concept of a “watcher of the door.”
- Part of Speech: Noun, masculine and feminine, second declension.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- A doorkeeper or gatekeeper responsible for overseeing entrances and exits.
- A porter, often employed in households, temples, or city gates to maintain security and order.
Similar Words: φύλαξ (phýlax) [FOO-laks], meaning “guard” or “watchman,” refers to a general guardian who watches over a location or a group of people. While both θυρωρός and φύλαξ involve oversight, θυρωρός specifically refers to a doorkeeper or someone watching a point of entry.
Further Insights: θυρωρός is a second-declension noun that can be both masculine and feminine, depending on the context. Here is the declension chart:
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | θυρωρός | θυρωροί |
| Genitive | θυρωροῦ | θυρωρῶν |
| Dative | θυρωρῷ | θυρωροῖς |
| Accusative | θυρωρόν | θυρωρούς |
| Vocative | θυρωρέ | θυρωροί |
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: θυρωρός is defined as a “doorkeeper” or “gatekeeper,” highlighting the importance of this role in ancient households, cities, and institutions. It refers to both literal and metaphorical guardianship over an entrance.
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Thayers: Notes that θυρωρός can be either masculine or feminine and emphasizes its use in the New Testament to indicate someone who is vigilant, such as the keeper of a gate or door in a house or city.
Vines: Defines θυρωρός as a “porter” or “doorkeeper” and connects its meaning to the broader theme of spiritual vigilance, referencing its metaphorical usage to describe roles in early Christian communities.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon explains θυρωρός as a doorkeeper or gatekeeper and discusses its occurrences in classical Greek literature, where it often refers to a trusted servant or slave responsible for controlling access to important locations.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Describes θυρωρός as a compound of θύρα (“door”) and a form of ὁράω (“to see”), implying someone who is a watcher or keeper of a door. It is used in the New Testament to indicate someone with a specific role of monitoring access to places.
Related Scripture References
- John 10:3: “To him the doorkeeper (θυρωρός) opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
- Mark 13:34: “It is like a man going on a journey, who, when he left his house, put his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, and commanded the doorkeeper (θυρωρῷ) to stay alert.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | The Republic | “The doorkeeper (θυρωρός) stood guard, ensuring no one entered without permission.” |
| Xenophon | Memorabilia | “The gatekeepers (θυρωροί) of the city would only open the gates for citizens during daylight hours.” |
| Aristophanes | Lysistrata | “They bribed the doorkeepers (θυρωρούς) to let them into the council chamber unnoticed.” |
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Septuagint | 2 Samuel 18:26 | “And the watchman saw another man running, and the doorkeeper (θυρωρός) called out to the gate.” |
| Septuagint | 1 Chronicles 9:22 | “All these who were chosen as gatekeepers (θυρωροί) were 212 in number.” |
| Septuagint | Nehemiah 7:3 | “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors (θυρωροί).” |
Summary of θυρωρός (G2377)
The Greek word θυρωρός (thyrōrós) refers to a doorkeeper or gatekeeper, a role of significant responsibility in ancient Greek and biblical contexts. Derived from θύρα (“door”) and ὁράω (“to see”), it indicates someone who watches over entrances, ensuring security and proper access. This word is used in the New Testament to describe the vigilant role of those who control access, metaphorically suggesting spiritual readiness and awareness. In classical Greek literature and the Septuagint, θυρωρός often appears in contexts where security, authority, and responsibility are emphasized, providing a deeper understanding of the social structures of the time.
Did You Know?
In ancient Greek and Roman culture, doorkeepers or gatekeepers were often trusted servants or slaves. They held keys to important doors, such as those leading to private quarters or treasure rooms, and were seen as figures of authority and responsibility. Some larger estates or public buildings employed multiple θυρωροί to monitor various entrances, making this a position that carried considerable trust and prestige.
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