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θήρα

thḗra

G2339 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act or pursuit of hunting, especially the hunting of wild animals as game. The term can also be used figuratively to describe the act of seeking to capture, entrap, or destroy, with an extension of meaning to the outcome of such hunting—prey, the hunted animal, or metaphorically, a trap or means of catching. In some contexts, it may refer to the realm or environment of the hunt.

Semantic Range

hunting, pursuit of game, act of seeking wild animals, prey, environment or place of the hunt, trap, device or means for catching or destroying, (figuratively) scheme for destruction or capture

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root θηρ-, associated with wild animals or game (cf. θήρ, 'wild beast; animal'). θήρα is the noun formed to denote the act or result of hunting. Cognate with related nouns and verbs referring to beasts and hunting in Greek (e.g. θηράω, 'to hunt').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, θήρα primarily denotes the pursuit or act of hunting wild animals, a significant aristocratic and heroic activity. It is closely related to the noun θήρ, meaning 'wild beast,' and appears in various forms, such as θηράω (to hunt) and θήραμα (prey, thing hunted). In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament, θήρα retains the sense of hunting but can also take on figurative meanings, such as 'trap' (i.e., a device or scheme for catching). English translations often use 'hunting,' 'prey,' or 'trap,' but these do not always reflect the full scope of the word, especially the nuance of active pursuit versus passive entrapment. The figurative extension to destruction or trap is more common in later and metaphorical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (a wild animal, as game); hunting, i.e. (figuratively) destruction:--trap.

Root Family

θήρα (thēra) — hunting, pursuit of game, prey, trap

Root θηρ- hunting, to pursue as game, to seek

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2339-01 θήραν theran N ACC F SG trap a hunt a trap 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2339-01 Romans 11:9 θήραν theran N ACC F SG trap a hunt a trap
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