κάμινος
káminos
G2575 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A furnace or oven; an enclosed apparatus used for smelting, baking, or burning, typically at a high temperature. Also, metaphorically, a place or state of intense heat, testing, or ordeal. While the primary sense is a physical furnace for metallurgical, ceramic, or culinary purposes, the word is also used in extended or figurative senses to indicate severe trial or punishment.
Semantic Range
furnace, oven, kiln; apparatus for burning or smelting; place of severe trial, place or state of intense heat or punishment (figurative)
Root / Etymology
The term derives from the root καμιν-, likely related to Latin 'caminus' and borrowed from a Mediterranean substrate (possibly Semitic), though ultimately the etymology is uncertain. The connection to καίω ('to burn') is not securely established.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κάμινος referred to various types of kilns or furnaces. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it denotes a chamber used for burning or refining, such as those used for smelting metals (Genesis 19:28 LXX, Daniel 3:6), or for destructive burning (Matthew 13:42, 'furnace of fire'). Sometimes stands in contrast with the simpler hearth or fire (πῦρ). The term can function both literally (physical ovens and kilns) and metaphorically (as a place of dire ordeal or divine judgment). Standard English translations narrow the meaning to 'furnace,' but the term covered a wider range of ovens, kilns, and refining furnaces in antiquity. The figurative use conveying trial, destruction, or refinement is especially prominent in Jewish and early Christian apocalyptic writings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from καίω; a furnace:--furnace.
Root Family
κάμινος (kaminos) — furnace, oven, kiln
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2575-02 |
κάμινον | kaminon | N ACC F SG |
furnace | furnace | furnace | 2 |
G2575-03 |
καμίνου | kaminou | N GEN F SG |
furnace | of a furnace | of a furnace | 1 |
G2575-01 |
καμίνῳ | kamino | N DAT F SG |
a furnace | in a furnace | a furnace | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2575-02 |
Matthew 13:42 | κάμινον | kaminon | N ACC F SG |
furnace | furnace | furnace |
G2575-02 |
Matthew 13:50 | κάμινον | kaminon | N ACC F SG |
furnace | furnace | furnace |
G2575-01 |
Revelation 1:15 | καμίνῳ | kamino | N DAT F SG |
a furnace | in a furnace | a furnace |
G2575-03 |
Revelation 9:2 | καμίνου | kaminou | N GEN F SG |
furnace | of a furnace | of a furnace |