θησαυρός
thēsaurós
G2344 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A storehouse, repository, or collection for valuable items; by extension, a store of wealth, precious objects, or anything considered of value. The term can also denote a treasury, chest, or the valuables themselves—material or immaterial—such as accumulated possessions, resources, or even figuratively, moral or spiritual goods.
Semantic Range
storehouse, treasury, repository, treasure chest, valuables, collection of valuable things, wealth, hoard, store of resources (material or immaterial), spiritual or moral treasure
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root θη- (relating to placing or putting) and the verb τιθήμι ('to put, place, lay'). θησαυρός is formed via nominal suffix and originally denoted a place where one puts or stores something valuable.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θησαυρός primarily referred to a physical storehouse, treasury, or chest used for storing valuables (Homer, Herodotus). Over time, it could describe the contents of such places—treasures, resources, or valuable objects. In the Septuagint, θησαυρός is used to translate Hebrew terms for both God's storehouses (e.g., of rain, snow: cf. Deut 28:12) and for physical treasuries in temples or royal palaces. In New Testament Greek, the term frequently carries both literal (material wealth, valuables, hoard) and figurative (spiritual riches, store of good or evil in one's heart) senses, as in Matthew 6:19-21, where treasure may refer to both earthly possessions and heavenly reward. English translations often render θησαυρός as 'treasure,' 'storehouse,' or 'treasury,' but the term also has a broader semantic range that includes intangible valuables or accumulated resources. Unlike ταμιεῖον ('storeroom', 'chamber') or ταμίας ('steward', 'manager'), θησαυρός emphasizes the value and sometimes the hidden, guarded, or precious character of what is stored.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from τίθημι; a deposit, i.e. wealth (literally or figuratively):--treasure.
Root Family
θησαυρός (thēsauros) — storehouse, treasury, repository, stored wealth, valuables
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2344-03 |
θησαυρὸν | thesauron | N ACC M SG |
treasure | treasured store | 6 |
G2344-05 |
θησαυροῦ | thesaurou | N GEN M SG |
treasure | of a storehouse | 4 |
G2344-06 |
θησαυροὺς | thesaurous | N ACC M PL |
treasures | stored valuables | 3 |
G2344-04 |
θησαυρός | thesauros | N NOM M SG |
treasure | treasure storehouse | 2 |
G2344-01 |
θησαυρῷ | thesauro | N DAT M SG |
to a treasury | 1 | |
G2344-02 |
θησαυροὶ | thesauroi | N NOM M PL |
treasures | treasure stores | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
17 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2344-06 |
Matthew 2:11 | θησαυροὺς | thesaurous | N ACC M PL |
treasures | stored valuables |
G2344-06 |
Matthew 6:19 | θησαυροὺς | thesaurous | N ACC M PL |
stored valuables | |
G2344-06 |
Matthew 6:20 | θησαυροὺς | thesaurous | N ACC M PL |
stored valuables | |
G2344-04 |
Matthew 6:21 | θησαυρός | thesauros | N NOM M SG |
treasure storehouse | |
G2344-05 |
Matthew 12:35 | θησαυροῦ | thesaurou | N GEN M SG |
of a storehouse | |
G2344-05 |
Matthew 12:35 | θησαυροῦ | thesaurou-2 | N GEN M SG |
of a storehouse | |
G2344-01 |
Matthew 13:44 | θησαυρῷ | thesauro | N DAT M SG |
to a treasury | |
G2344-05 |
Matthew 13:52 | θησαυροῦ | thesaurou | N GEN M SG |
of a storehouse | |
G2344-03 |
Matthew 19:21 | θησαυρὸν | thesauron | N ACC M SG |
treasured store | |
G2344-03 |
Mark 10:21 | θησαυρὸν | thesauron | N ACC M SG |
treasure | treasured store |