δέσμη
désmē
G1197 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bundle; collection of things bound together, especially stalks of grain or similar items tied for transport or storage. Also refers more generally to any group of objects fastened together as a unit.
Semantic Range
bundle, sheaf, bundle of stalks or sticks, collection of things fastened together
Root / Etymology
From the verb δεσμέω (to bind), itself from the root δεσμ- ('to bind, to tie').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, δέσμη predominantly denotes a bound sheaf, especially of agricultural produce such as wheat, reeds, or sticks. Its primary usage is concrete—emphasizing the physical act of binding and the resultant object. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term appears mostly in agricultural and everyday contexts, notably as 'sheaf' or 'bundle.' English translations often render it as 'bundle,' but the nuance can range from a sheaf of grain to a bundle of sticks depending on the context. The term is distinct from related nouns such as ἀμάλθη (sheaf), which emphasizes the crop, while δέσμη focuses on the act and result of binding. No significant metaphorical extension is attested in Koine or biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from δεσμέω; a bundle:--bundle.
Root Family
δέσμη (desmē) — bundle, sheaf, bound collection, things tied together
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1197-01 |
δέσμας | desmas | N ACC F PL |
bundles | bundles | bundles | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1197-01 |
Matthew 13:30 | δέσμας | desmas | N ACC F PL |
bundles | bundles | bundles |