θέρος
théros
G2330 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Season of heat; the warm period of the year, specifically the period corresponding to 'summer' in the Mediterranean climate cycle. In broader usage, denotes the time of ripening and harvest, especially relating to grain and fruit. In extended and figurative contexts, can refer to a period of growth, maturity, or opportunity.
Semantic Range
summer, the warm season, period of heat, the time of harvest, time of ripening or maturity, figurative season of opportunity or fulfillment
Root / Etymology
From the root θερ-, relating to heat or warmth, ultimately connected to the verb θέρμαινω ('to heat, to warm'). Cognate with θερμός ('warm, hot').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θέρος regularly denotes summer as one of the four divisions of the year, often contrasted with χειμών (winter). In agricultural societies of the eastern Mediterranean, θέρος had strong associations with the harvest period (especially cereals and fruit), and with the idea of plenty, maturity, or fulfillment. In the Septuagint and New Testament, θέρος appears in temporal expressions (e.g., indicating the season) and in parabolic or proverbial sayings (e.g., Mark 13:28, 'when the branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near'). English translations as 'summer' generally capture the primary sense, but miss agricultural and metaphorical nuances present in the ancient context, where it may evoke connotations of harvest, readiness, or appointed season. The term does not carry religious or ritual overtones, but functions chiefly as a temporal and agricultural designation. In contrast to other Greek terms for time (e.g., καιρός, χρόνος), θέρος is seasonally specific.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a primary (to heat); properly, heat, i.e. summer:--summer.
Root Family
θέρος (theros) — heat, warm season, ripening, harvest time
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2330-01 |
θέρος | theros | N NOM N SG |
summer | season of heat | summer | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2330-01 |
Matthew 24:32 | θέρος | theros | N NOM N SG |
summer | season of heat | season of heat |
G2330-01 |
Mark 13:28 | θέρος | theros | N NOM N SG |
summer | season of heat | summer |
G2330-01 |
Luke 21:30 | θέρος | theros | N NOM N SG |
summer | season of heat | summer |