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δεῦρο

deûro

G1204 interjection

SILEX Entry

Definition

An adverb meaning 'here' (indicating place, to this spot); also used imperatively in calls or summons, meaning 'come here!' or 'come!' In some contexts, may indicate 'up to this point' or 'hitherto' when used with temporal nuance, though this usage is rare in the Koine period. The primary lexical meaning in New Testament usage is as an adverb of place or as a summons, urging a person or persons to approach.

Semantic Range

here, to this place, come here!, hither; (rarely) up to this point, hitherto

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. The term δεῦρο is an adverb in Greek, related in form and function to the older Greek δέω (to bind, to need) and possibly shares a distant Indo-European root with demonstratives indicating place (cf. Latin 'huc'), but its specific Greek formation is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, δεῦρο is attested as an adverb indicating movement toward the speaker or speaker's location (LSJ: Homer onward). In Hellenistic and New Testament Greek, its usage remains primarily as an adverb of place, often in imperatival contexts (i.e. 'come here!'). It is frequently found in narrative, where a speaker summons another (e.g., Matthew 19:21). The use of δεῦρο for 'hitherto' (adverb of time) is marginal in the Koine period; this sense is more common in some earlier Greek (cf. Homer, Herodotus). English translations often use 'come,' 'come here,' or 'hither,' though 'hither' is archaic and not a direct equivalent. The New Testament preserves the idiomatic imperative use, where the command is communicated through the adverb alone, a feature also observed in earlier Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto:--come (hither), hither(-to).

Root Family

δεῦρο (deuro) — here, to this place, toward here, summons to approach

Root δεῦρ- to this place, here, towards here, to summon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1204-01 δεῦρο deuro INTJ come Come here! come here 9

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1204-01 Matthew 19:21 δεῦρο deuro INTJ come Come here! come here
G1204-01 Mark 10:21 δεῦρο deuro INTJ come Come here! Come here
G1204-01 Luke 18:22 δεῦρο deuro INTJ come Come here! Come here
G1204-01 John 11:43 δεῦρο deuro V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG come Come here! come here
G1204-01 Acts 7:3 δεῦρο deuro V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG come Come here! come here
G1204-01 Acts 7:34 δεῦρο deuro INTJ come Come here! come here
G1204-01 Romans 1:13 δεῦρο deuro ADV now Come here! now
G1204-01 Revelation 17:1 δεῦρο deuro INTJ Come Come here! come here
G1204-01 Revelation 21:9 δεῦρο deuro INTJ Come Come here! Come here
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