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δημόσιος

dēmósios

G1219 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root δημ- people, populace, public

Definition

Belonging to the people, relating to the populace or the state; public in the sense of being accessible to or shared by the community, as opposed to private or individual. By extension, in certain contexts, can denote something that is openly or commonly accessible/resource or a public place/affair. In adverbial usage (especially feminine singular dative), refers to an action performed publicly or openly, not in secret or privately.

Semantic Range

public, pertaining to the people, belonging to the state/community, common property, official or public act, done openly or before the community, in public, publicly, openly

Root / Etymology

From the root δῆμος ('people, populace'), with the adjectival suffix -ιος forming an adjective related to the people or public; thus, 'of or pertaining to the people/public.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δημόσιος frequently described things belonging to the δῆμος (populace or citizen body), such as public property, offices, buildings, or funds, as opposed to ἴδιος (private, individual). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including in the Septuagint and New Testament, its meaning remains consistent: describing things, acts, or circumstances as public or commonly accessible. The adverbial form (δημοσίᾳ, dative singular feminine) means 'openly, publicly.' Most English translations render this as 'publicly' or 'openly,' but the underlying sense emphasizes that an object, place, or action is part of the collective realm (the public sphere), not simply visible. There is no religious nuance; the term is used for anything pertaining to the broader community, regardless of ethnic or political context. Related Greek terms include κοινός ('common, shared') but δημόσιος specifically relates to public as belonging to the populace, often with legal or civic implications.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δῆμος; public; (feminine singular dative case as adverb) in public:--common, openly, publickly.

Root Family

δημόσιος (dēmosios) — people, populace, public

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1219-01 δημοσίᾳ demosia ADJ.S DAT F SG publicly in public 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1219-01 Acts 5:18 δημοσίᾳ demosia ADJ.S DAT F SG public in public
G1219-01 Acts 16:37 δημοσίᾳ demosia ADJ.S DAT F SG publicly in public
G1219-01 Acts 18:28 δημοσίᾳ demosia ADJ.S DAT F SG publicly in public
G1219-01 Acts 20:20 δημοσίᾳ demosia ADJ.S DAT F SG publicly in public
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