Introduction
Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is crucial for deepening our comprehension of New Testament texts and their cultural contexts. The Greek word θήρα (thēra) is particularly significant because it relates to the concept of hunting, capturing, or ensnaring, which has both literal and metaphorical uses in ancient Greek literature, including the Bible. This word helps us understand the imagery and symbolism used in Scripture, particularly when discussing themes of pursuit, capture, or entrapment, both physically and spiritually.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: θήρα (thēra) [THAY-rah]
- Etymology: Derived from the root θηρ (thēr), meaning “wild beast” or “animal.” The term θήρα evolved to mean “hunt” or “chase,” referring to the act of hunting wild animals.
- Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine); used to describe the act of hunting or a pursuit.
- Grammatical Details: First declension noun; characterized by its feminine singular endings.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon
Primary Meanings
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- Hunt: The act of pursuing or seeking wild animals.
- Chase or Pursuit: More broadly, it can refer to any form of pursuit or attempt to capture something.
Similar Words: θηρευτής (thēreutēs) [thay-rey-OO-tays] is a related Greek word meaning “hunter.” While θήρα focuses on the act of hunting or the chase itself, θηρευτής specifically refers to the person performing the act. Another related word is θήραμα (thērama) [THAY-ra-ma], which means “prey” or “game” — what is hunted. θήραμα refers to the object of the hunt rather than the act of hunting, providing a different perspective within the same context.
Further Insights: As a first declension feminine noun, θήρα follows a typical pattern of Greek nouns, with its endings changing based on the case and number. The declension of θήρα is as follows:
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | θήρα | θῆραι |
| Genitive | θήρας | θηρῶν |
| Dative | θήρᾳ | θήραις |
| Accusative | θήραν | θήρας |
| Vocative | θήρα | θῆραι |
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Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: θήρα is defined as “hunting, chase,” emphasizing its usage in contexts where the pursuit of wild animals is highlighted. BDAG notes that the term can be used both literally, as in the physical act of hunting, and metaphorically, to imply pursuit or entrapment.
- Thayer’s Lexicon: Thayer’s describes θήρα as “a hunting,” particularly pointing out its use in both classical and biblical contexts where it refers to the process of hunting or capturing. It also highlights its metaphorical use for entrapment or trickery.
- Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Vine’s focuses on the figurative usage of θήρα in biblical texts, where it often implies spiritual or moral entrapment. The dictionary discusses how the concept of hunting can symbolize the pursuit of souls or the act of leading others into sin.
- LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ lexicon offers a broad overview of θήρα, detailing its literal use as “hunt” or “chase” in classical literature and its extension to more abstract concepts such as a strategic pursuit or desire to capture something elusive.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: G2339. Strong’s defines θήρα as “hunting, pursuit,” noting its application in both physical and metaphorical senses in the New Testament and other Greek literature. The concordance emphasizes the idea of active pursuit, whether of game or in a spiritual context.
Related Scripture References
- Romans 11:9: “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.” (θήρα appears in related Greek contexts of traps or snares, though not explicitly listed in common translations.)
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Aristotle | Nicomachean Ethics | “The virtue of courage is like a hunt (θήρα) for the soul’s nobility.” |
| Xenophon | Cyropaedia | “Cyrus was trained in the art of hunting (θήρα) as a means of discipline.” |
| Homer | Iliad | “The hero’s journey was filled with hunts (θήρα) and battles.” |
| Septuagint – Psalms | Septuagint Translation | “The Lord will deliver me from all the traps (θήρα) laid by my enemies.” |
| Septuagint – Jeremiah | Septuagint Translation | “My people have become prey, like a hunted (θήρα) beast before their oppressors.” |
| Septuagint – Proverbs | Septuagint Translation | “The wicked man lays a hunt (θήρα) to capture the innocent.” |
Summary of θήρα (G2339)
The Greek noun θήρα (thēra) primarily means “hunt” or “pursuit” and is used in various contexts to describe the act of hunting wild animals or metaphorical pursuits involving capture or entrapment. Its appearance in both biblical and classical literature underlines its versatility, symbolizing not only physical pursuits but also spiritual and moral challenges. Understanding θήρα enriches our interpretation of biblical passages and helps us appreciate the depth of Greek language and culture, where hunting was both a literal activity and a metaphor for broader life experiences.
Did You Know?
The concept of θήρα is so integral to ancient Greek culture that it gave rise to words like θηρευτής (“hunter”) and θηρευτικός (“pertaining to hunting”). Hunting was not just a physical activity but also a symbol of human struggle, strategy, and the quest for survival or higher moral ground, showing its deep roots in both daily life and philosophical thought in ancient Greece.
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