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Introduction
In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words can provide profound insights into the cultural and theological contexts of the New Testament. The Greek word ἴαμα (iama) is particularly significant, as it directly relates to the concept of healing and restoration. This word appears in contexts that speak to the divine power of healing, both physical and spiritual. Exploring ἴαμα helps us to better grasp the New Testament’s message on miracles, divine intervention, and the ancient understanding of health and wholeness in Greek culture.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἴαμα, transliterated as iama [EE-ah-mah].
- Etymology: Derived from the verb ἰάομαι (iaomai), meaning “to heal” or “to cure.”
- Part of Speech: Noun, neuter; third declension.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- ἴαμα (iama): Refers to “a healing” or “a cure,” emphasizing the result of the act of healing.
Similar Words: ἰάομαι (iaomai) [ee-AH-oh-my] is the verb form meaning “to heal” or “to make whole.” It focuses on the process of healing rather than the result. θεραπεία (therapeia) [theh-rah-PEH-yah] means “service” or “care” and often refers to healing in a more general sense, including both medical and spiritual connotations.
Further Insights: ἴαμα is a third-declension neuter noun. This declension pattern affects how the word changes according to its grammatical case, which determines its function in a sentence (e.g., subject, object). Below is the declension chart for ἴαμα:
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ἴαμα | ἴαματα |
| Genitive | ἰάματος | ἰαμάτων |
| Dative | ἰάματι | ἰάμασι(ν) |
| Accusative | ἴαμα | ἴαματα |
| Vocative | ἴαμα | ἴαματα |
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἴαμα refers to “a remedy” or “a healing,” focusing on the outcome of a healing process. It is often used in a context that highlights divine or miraculous intervention in the healing of physical or spiritual ailments.
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Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon describes ἴαμα as “a means of healing” and emphasizes its occurrence in early Christian texts to denote a miraculous act of restoration, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts and divine healing.
Vines: ἴαμα is discussed in Vines as related to the verb ἰάομαι. It is presented as the noun form that signifies the result or product of the healing act. The entry elaborates on its use in both physical and spiritual contexts.
LSJ: The LSJ lexicon includes ἴαμα in its broad sense of “healing” or “remedy,” and it cites classical sources where the term appears, indicating its usage in ancient medical and religious literature.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἴαμα as “a cure” or “a healing.” It provides references to the passages where the term is used, particularly focusing on its miraculous and divine contexts in early Christian writings.
Related Scripture References
- 1 Corinthians 12:9: “To another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing [ἴαμα] by that one Spirit.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:30: “Do all have gifts of healing [ἴαμα]? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Timaeus | “He who heals [ἰάματα] diseases by medicine.” |
| Hippocrates | On Regimen | “He sought various remedies [ἴαματα] for the sick.” |
| Septuagint | Wisdom of Solomon 16:12 | “For it was neither herb nor mollifying plaster that restored them, but Your word, O Lord, which heals [ἴαμα] all.” |
| Philo | On the Life of Moses | “Moses provided a healing [ἴαμα] for the people when they were afflicted.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The Egyptian priests knew many secret remedies [ἴαματα] for different diseases.” |
Summary of ἴαμα (G2386)
The Greek word ἴαμα (iama) is a neuter noun meaning “a healing” or “a cure.” It derives from the verb ἰάομαι (iaomai), which means “to heal” or “to make whole.” In the New Testament, ἴαμα is associated with divine healing, often manifesting as spiritual gifts within the early church. Understanding this term helps to appreciate the theological emphasis on God’s power to heal and restore both physically and spiritually. The word’s usage in classical literature also shows its broader application in medical and religious contexts, providing a deeper understanding of ancient perspectives on healing.
Did You Know?
- Did You Know? The concept of healing in the Bible often goes beyond physical recovery to include spiritual and emotional restoration, reflecting a holistic view of health in both Hebrew and Greek thought.
- Did You Know? ἴαμα appears in early Christian literature to emphasize the miraculous nature of healing as a spiritual gift, highlighting the active work of the Holy Spirit in the early church.
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