← G2309 G2311 →

θεμέλιος

themélios

G2310 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A foundation or base; primarily, the underlying structure upon which something is built, especially the substructure of a building. By extension, used figuratively for the basis or ground of an argument, system, or community. In literary and metaphorical contexts, denotes what gives support or stability to a structure or concept.

Semantic Range

foundation (of a building), base or substructure, underlying support, basis (of an argument or principle), figurative basis or ground (e.g., of a community or teaching)

Root / Etymology

From the root θέμ- (from τίθημι, 'to set, to place') and the adjectival ending -έλιος, thus originally signifying 'that which is set or laid down.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

θεμέλιος appears from classical Greek onward with the literal sense of a physical foundation, especially in architectural contexts as the stone or other material laid first to support a building (e.g., Homer, Herodotus). In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew terms for foundation, often in relation to the temple or city walls. In the New Testament, θεμέλιος retains both literal (e.g., building foundations) and figurative senses—such as the apostles and prophets being a community's foundation (Eph 2:20), or Christ himself as the foundational support of faith (1 Cor 3:11). Later English translations usually render it 'foundation,' but may not fully reflect the metaphorical range of support, basis, or undergirding principle inherent in Greek usage. The related concept ἱδρυμα (‘establishment’) focuses more on the act of causing to stand, while θεμέλιος emphasizes what is placed as a support. In Greek architectural and philosophical lexicons, the term remains technical but is regularly extended to abstract bases or principles.

Translation Consistency

primary "foundation" 16 occurrences

Most P2 occurrences use “foundation” (12x) with the remainder as “foundations” (4x). The SILEX range emphasizes a building substructure and figurative basis; “foundation” is the natural, common English noun that covers both the literal and metaphorical senses and will yield idiomatic translations when inflected (e.g., foundations).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of τίθημι; something put down, i.e. a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively):--foundation.

Root Family

θεμέλιος (themelios) — foundation, base, that which is laid down, underlying support

Root θεμ- to set, to place, to lay down

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2310-04 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation 8
G2310-05 θεμέλιος themelios N NOM M SG foundation laid-down foundation foundation 2
G2310-07 θεμελίους themelious N ACC M PL foundations laid-down foundations foundations 2
G2310-02 θεμελίῳ themelio N DAT M SG foundation to a foundation foundation 1
G2310-03 θεμέλιοι themelioi N NOM M PL foundations laid-down foundations foundations 1
G2310-01 θεμέλια themelia N ACC N PL foundations laid-down foundations foundations 1
G2310-06 θεμελίου themeliou N GEN M SG a foundation of a foundation a foundation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2310-04 Luke 6:48 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-06 Luke 6:49 θεμελίου themeliou N GEN M SG a foundation of a foundation a foundation
G2310-04 Luke 14:29 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG the foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-01 Acts 16:26 θεμέλια themelia N ACC N PL foundations laid-down foundations foundations
G2310-04 Romans 15:20 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-04 1 Corinthians 3:10 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-04 1 Corinthians 3:11 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-04 1 Corinthians 3:12 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
G2310-02 Ephesians 2:20 θεμελίῳ themelio N DAT M SG foundation to a foundation foundation
G2310-04 1 Timothy 6:19 θεμέλιον themelion N ACC M SG foundation foundation base foundation
← G2309 Greek Lexicon G2311 →