G3832

Unveiling the Word

The Greek word πανοικεί (panoikē) primarily means “with all of one’s household” or “entire household.” It comes from a combination of πᾶν (pan), meaning “all,” and οἰκία (oikia), meaning “house” or “household.” In the context of Acts 16:34, it refers to the totality of a person’s family or household being involved in a significant event, highlighting the interconnectedness and communal nature of family in ancient cultures. The term reflects the cultural significance of the household unit in society, particularly in matters of faith and social responsibility.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: πανοικεί, pronounced [pa-noi-KAY].

Etymology: The term is derived from the combination of πᾶν (pan), meaning “all,” and οικεῖος (oikeios), relating to the house or household. Thus, the word emphasizes inclusivity concerning the family or household.

Part of Speech: πανοικεί is a noun and can function as an adjective describing the totality of a household.

Defining Meanings

Meaning 1: “Entire household” – The primary meaning of πανοικεί refers to all members of a household, emphasizing the complete inclusion of family in an event or situation.

Meaning 2: “With all” – It can imply being involved with everyone in a household context, reinforcing community ties and the idea that decisions or events affect the entire family unit.

Meaning 3: “Collective family” – In some contexts, it might also refer to a broader understanding of family or household, encompassing extended family or close friends considered part of the household.

Exploring Similar Words

οἰκία (oikia) [oi-KEE-a]: This term translates to “house” or “household” but does not convey the same collective aspect as πανοικεί, which emphasizes the inclusion of all household members.

οἰκείος (oikeios) [oi-KAY-os]: Meaning “of the house,” this word relates more to family relationships or belongings within the household, focusing on possession rather than the collective gathering of the household.

συναγωγή (synagōgē) [sy-na-go-GAY]: While this means “assembly” or “gathering,” it refers more broadly to any assembly of people and does not specify the household context, unlike πανοικεί.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: πανοικεί is in the nominative case, singular number, and can be used in various contexts depending on the sentence structure.

Declension: It belongs to the first declension class, meaning it will have specific endings based on its grammatical usage in sentences.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide a cohesive understanding of πανοικεί as a term deeply rooted in the cultural context of family and household in the ancient Mediterranean world. In Acts 16:34, its usage underlines the significance of communal faith experiences, especially within the context of a household’s conversion. As seen in various lexicons, the term emphasizes family unity and communal responsibility, showing how beliefs were shared and practiced collectively.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

Acts 16:34: “Then he brought them up into his house (πανοικεί) and set food before them; and he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

1 Corinthians 1:16: “I did baptize also the household (οἰκία) of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.”

Acts 10:24: “And the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends (οἰκία).”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Example 1: Xenophon, Memorabilia: “The household (πανοικεί) was responsible for the education of children, emphasizing the family’s role in society.”

Example 2: Plato, The Republic: “Justice is about the household (πανοικεί) functioning as a cohesive unit, with all members playing their part.”

Example 3: Aristotle, Politics: “The household (πανοικεί) forms the basic unit of the state, illustrating its importance in governance.”

Septuagint Example 1: Genesis 18:19: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household (πανοικεί) after him to keep the way of the Lord.”

Septuagint Example 2: Exodus 12:3: “Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses (πανοικεί).”

Septuagint Example 3: Joshua 24:15: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household (πανοικεί), we will serve the Lord.”

Noteworthy Summary

The term πανοικεί encapsulates the essence of family unity and collective involvement in significant events or beliefs. Its usage in biblical and classical contexts highlights the importance of the household as a foundational social unit.

Did You Know?

1. In ancient cultures, decisions made by one family member could affect the entire household, illustrating the interconnectedness of family ties.

2. The term emphasizes that faith experiences were often shared within families, making conversions and religious practices communal rather than individual.

3. Understanding πανοικεί provides insight into early Christian community structures, where households were often centers of faith and worship.

Strong’s G3832: πανοικεί (panoikē) signifies the entire household, reflecting the importance of communal bonds and shared experiences within the context of family and faith.