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ἔσω

ésō

G2080 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root εἰς, ἔσ- inside, within, inward, to the interior

Definition

adverb of place meaning 'inside, within, to the interior'; conveys the sense of being or moving inside a spatial boundary, whether literal or metaphorical. Used to indicate the interior of a physical space, an inward direction, or, in extended and figurative contexts, an inner moral, psychological, or spiritual realm. As a preposition with the genitive, it may mean 'within, inside (of)' or 'into (the interior of)'. Less commonly, it functions attributively or as part of compounds to indicate inwardness or interiority.

Semantic Range

inside, within, inward, to the interior, in the inner part, in the midst, figuratively: the inner self or inner life, as contrasted with outside (ἔξω)

Root / Etymology

Adverb formed from the preposition εἰς ('into, to') plus an adverbial suffix; ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'in' or 'into'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἔσω is well attested in classical Greek, where it primarily marks location or direction 'inside' as distinct from ἔξω ('outside'). In the Koine period, it retains its spatial meaning but also acquires figurative dimensions, such as designating inward moral or spiritual qualities (e.g., 'the inner person' in 2 Corinthians 4:16). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it most often opposes ἔξω, and can function adverbially or prepositionally with the genitive (e.g., ἔσω τῆς οἰκίας, 'inside the house'). English Bible translations commonly render ἔσω as 'within,' 'inside,' or 'inward,' but may not always capture the nuance between literal and figurative uses. Its use overlaps with medial terms in Greek but should be distinguished from terms exclusively signifying 'inwardness' (e.g., ἐσωτερικός).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εἰς; inside (as preposition or adjective):-- (with-)in(-ner, -to, -ward).

Root Family

ἔσω (esō) — inside, within, inward, to the interior

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2080-01 ἔσω eso ADV inside inside 9

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2080-01 Matthew 26:58 ἔσω eso ADV inside
G2080-01 Mark 14:54 ἔσω eso ADV inside inside
G2080-01 Mark 15:16 ἔσω eso PREP GEN inside inside
G2080-01 John 20:26 ἔσω eso ADV inside inside
G2080-01 Acts 5:23 ἔσω eso ADV inside inside
G2080-01 Romans 7:22 ἔσω eso ADV inside
G2080-01 1 Corinthians 5:12 ἔσω eso ADV inside inside
G2080-01 2 Corinthians 4:16 ἔσω eso ADV inside
G2080-01 Ephesians 3:16 ἔσω eso ADV inner inside
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