Brief Overview of σήμερον (Strong’s G4594: sēmeron)

Strong’s G4594: An adverb meaning “today” or “this day,” emphasizing immediate presence and urgency. In biblical usage, it often carries theological significance beyond mere chronological reference, pointing to divine activity and the present reality of God’s work, especially in salvation contexts.

U- Unveiling the Word

σήμερον captures the immediacy and urgency of God’s activity in the present moment. First appearing in Matthew 6:11 in the Lord’s Prayer, it emphasizes our daily dependence on God’s provision. The word carries special theological weight in contexts of salvation and divine intervention, highlighting that God’s promises and actions intersect with human time. Early church writers emphasized how σήμερον calls believers to respond to God’s present activity. Today, it reminds us that salvation and divine provision are always immediate and personal realities.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σήμερον, sēmeron, SAY-meh-ron
• Detailed pronunciation: stress on first syllable: ‘SAY’ as in say, ‘meh’ as in meh, ‘ron’ as in wrong
• Part of Speech: Adverb

Etymology:

• From σῆμαρ (sēmar) – day
• Contracted form of τῇ ἡμέρᾳ (tē hēmera) – on this day

D – Defining Meanings

• Today
• This very day
• Now, at present
• In our time

For compound words:
Not applicable as σήμερον is a primary adverb

Translation Options:

• “Today” – Emphasizes present time
• “This day” – More formal, liturgical
• “Now” – Stresses immediacy

E – Exploring Similar Words

• νῦν (nun, noon) – now See G3568
• ἄρτι (arti, AR-tee) – just now, presently See G737
• εὐθέως (eutheōs, eu-THEH-oce) – immediately See G2112

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adverb:

• Indeclinable
• Modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
• Can function substantively with the article
• Often used with temporal significance

Examples:

• τὸ σήμερον – “the today”
• ἕως σήμερον – “until today”
• σήμερον alone – “today”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes σήμερον’s theological significance in salvation contexts. Thayer’s notes its use in both temporal and theological senses. LSJ documents its classical usage. Vine’s highlights its importance in divine promises. Strong’s connects it to immediate action. Moulton-Milligan shows its common usage in everyday documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

Additional References:
Luke 4:21, Luke 19:9, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 3:15, Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 5:5, Hebrews 13:8

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σήμερον emphasizes the immediacy of God’s work in our lives, from daily provision to eternal salvation. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), and that His salvation and provision are always present realities requiring our response now.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears prominently in both the first petition for physical needs (daily bread) and spiritual salvation in the New Testament.
2. Early Christian liturgies often emphasized σήμερον in remembering Christ’s birth and resurrection.
3. The term influenced the development of Christian understanding of “realized eschatology.”

Strong’s G4594: An adverb meaning “today” or “this day,” emphasizing immediate presence and urgency. In biblical usage, it often carries theological significance beyond mere chronological reference, pointing to divine activity and the present reality of God’s work, especially in salvation contexts.

Part of speech: Adverb

Tags: today, present time, immediacy, Lord’s Prayer, daily bread, salvation, divine provision, urgency, Hebrews, present reality, Christian time, divine activity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​