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γωνία

gōnía

G1137 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Angle, specifically an outward or inward corner formed where two lines or surfaces meet. In extended or figurative usage, refers to a projecting corner or an area defined by such angles (e.g., a corner of a building or region). Used both in architectural and geographic senses, as well as with reference to the corners or ends of various objects or spaces (e.g., corners of a garment, altar, or land).

Semantic Range

angle, corner (of a building, structure, or object), projecting or prominent part, quarter or region (of a space), extremity or end (of an area), figuratively as cornerstone

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root γων- meaning 'angle' or 'corner.' Possibly connected to γόνυ (gony, 'knee') through the sense of a bent or angular form, though this derivation is debated; may ultimately derive from a Pre-Greek or non-Indo-European substrate. The etymology is considered uncertain among most modern scholars.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γωνία commonly refers to a physical angle or corner, especially the corner of a geometric figure, building, or room. It also denoted a district or region at the corner or extremity of a larger area. In the Septuagint and the New Testament (e.g., Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7), γωνία is frequently used with reference to the 'corner' in the expression ‘cornerstone’ (λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας), drawing on the architectural practice and idiom of a stone situated at the meeting point of two walls (possibly either at the foundation or at the summit). The use of 'corner' or 'quarter' for regions or districts is also attested, especially in spatial or territorial descriptions. English translations often render γωνία as 'corner' or 'angle,' and in the phrase 'chief cornerstone,' but the term's general spatial or regional sense may not be fully captured in translation. The semantic field is generally stable between the Septuagint, New Testament, and broader Koine usage, consistently denoting a meeting point, extremity, or projecting area, whether concrete or figurative. Not to be confused with terms denoting borders or boundaries (e.g., ὅρος).

Translation Consistency

primary "corner" 9 occurrences

γωνία typically denotes a corner or angle—of a building, object, garment, altar, or region—and English Bibles almost always render it as “corner.” “Corner” covers both literal angles and figurative extremities or projecting parts, making it the most natural, consistent base word for all forms of this lemma.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to γόνυ; an angle:--corner, quarter.

Root Family

γωνία (gōnia) — angle, corner

Root γων- angle, corner

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1137-03 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of corner of a corner of a corner 6
G1137-02 γωνίαις goniais N DAT F PL corners to the corners corners 2
G1137-01 γωνίᾳ gonia N DAT F SG a corner in a corner a corner 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1137-02 Matthew 6:5 γωνίαις goniais N DAT F PL corners to the corners corners
G1137-03 Matthew 21:42 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of the corner of a corner of a corner
G1137-03 Mark 12:10 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of the corner of a corner of a corner
G1137-03 Luke 20:17 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of corner of a corner of a corner
G1137-03 Acts 4:11 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of corner of a corner of a corner
G1137-01 Acts 26:26 γωνίᾳ gonia N DAT F SG a corner in a corner a corner
G1137-03 1 Peter 2:7 γωνίας gonias N GEN F SG of corner of a corner of a corner
G1137-03 Revelation 7:1 γωνίας gonias N ACC F PL corners of a corner corners
G1137-02 Revelation 20:8 γωνίαις goniais N DAT F PL corners to the corners corners
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