εἰρηνοποιός

eirēnopoiós

G1518 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who makes or fosters peace; a person who initiates or facilitates reconciliation or harmony between parties in conflict. The term emphasizes the active creation or restoration of peaceful relations, not simply possessing a peaceful disposition. Semantically, the word covers those who intervene to resolve strife, restore relationships, or establish concord in personal, communal, or social contexts.

Semantic Range

one who makes peace, peacemaker, reconciler, one who fosters harmony, restorer of concord

Root / Etymology

Formed from εἰρήνη ('peace') and ποιέω ('to make, to do'). The compound construction εἰρηνοποιός literally means 'peace-maker' or 'peace-creator.' The root elements are well-attested in Greek, and the formation follows common patterns for agency based on verbal stems.

Historical & Contextual Notes

εἰρηνοποιός is rare in extant Greek literature, with attestation primarily in Koine sources such as the New Testament (notably in Matthew 5:9). In earlier Greek, the concept of mediating or establishing peace (εἰρήνη) was expressed with various verbs (e.g., διαλλάσσω, καταλλάσσω), but the specific compound noun εἰρηνοποιός appears to be a semantic innovation typical of Hellenistic Greek, emphasizing agency. In the context of the New Testament, εἰρηνοποιός refers to those who actively bring about reconciliation—within interpersonal relationships, communities, or broader society. Standard English translations sometimes use 'peacemaker' or 'one who makes peace,' but the term's active force can be overlooked; it is not merely being peace-inclined but shaping or creating peace in action. The emphasis on agency and initiative distinguishes εἰρηνοποιός from adjectives like εἰρηνικός (peaceable, peaceful in character).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εἰρήνη and ποιέω; pacificatory, i.e. (subjectively) peaceable:--peacemaker.

Root Family

εἰρηνοποιός (eirēnopoios) — to make peace, to create harmony, to reconcile

Root εἰρηνοποι- to make peace, to create harmony, to reconcile

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1518-01 εἰρηνοποιοί eirenopoioi ADJ.S NOM M PL peacemakers peace-makers peace-makers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1518-01 Matthew 5:9 εἰρηνοποιοί eirenopoioi ADJ.S NOM M PL peacemakers peace-makers peace-makers