ἤρεμος
ḗremos
G2263 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tranquil, calm, quiet; denoting a state or condition of peacefulness and absence of disturbance, particularly relating to an environment or atmosphere that is free from noise, activity, or turmoil. In extended contexts, can describe a mood, emotional state, or even a community imbued with stillness or serenity.
Semantic Range
tranquil, calm, quiet, peaceful, undisturbed, serene, free from disturbance
Root / Etymology
Related to ἔρημος (érēmos, 'desolate, deserted, lonely'), differing by a transposition of the initial vowel and aspiration, though the exact process is uncertain. The derivation suggests overlap in the sense of 'emptiness' or 'stillness,' but with ἤρεμος emphasizing tranquility rather than abandonment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἤρεμος is a rare word in Greek literature, attested mainly in post-classical and Koine sources. It appears infrequently and has sometimes been confused with or thought to be a variant of ἔρημος due to similarity in form and semantic overlap. In usage, ἤρεμος highlights the quality of peacefulness, often in reference to literal quiet (e.g. a tranquil place or situation) but also in the figurative sense of inward calm or the absence of conflict. In contrast, ἔρημος typically denotes desolation, barrenness, or uninhabited places, emphasizing emptiness over peace. English translations as 'quiet' or 'tranquil' generally capture the primary sense but may obscure its rarity and subtle difference from more mainstream Greek terms for peace or silence. The New Testament usage aligns it more with a positive, settled stillness rather than mere silence or abandonment. The semantic range overlaps with other Greek adjectives such as ἡσύχιος (hesychios, 'quiet, still'), but ἤρεμος is more specific to tranquil calmness than to general silence or lack of noise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps by transposition from ἔρημος (through the idea of stillness); tranquil:--quiet.
Root Family
ἔρημος (erēmos) — uninhabited, deserted, solitary
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2048 | ἔρημος | in an uninhabited place |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2263-01 |
ἤρεμον | eremon | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
quiet | uninhabited region | quiet | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2263-01 |
1 Timothy 2:2 | ἤρεμον | eremon | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
quiet | uninhabited region | quiet |