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καρδία

kardía

G2588 noun

SILEX Entry

Root καρδ- heart (physical organ), core, center, seat of emotions, seat of thought

Definition

The physical heart, the central organ of circulation; by extension, the inner self, seat of emotion, thought, intention, and moral reflection; metaphorically, the center or core of a being or object. In literary and philosophical contexts, refers not only to the locus of affective life (emotions, desires, feelings), but also to intellectual and volitional capacity (thoughts, intentions, purposes). May denote the innermost part, the core or center of something, in extended or figurative usage.

Semantic Range

physical heart (organ); inner self; seat of emotion; locus of thoughts, intentions, or will; dispositions and attitudes; core or center of something

Root / Etymology

From root καρδ-; the word καρδία is attested in Greek as early as Homeric literature and is cognate with Latin 'cor' and related to Sanskrit 'hṛd-', all tracing to the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱḗr-d-, meaning 'heart.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek (from Homer onward), καρδία designates the physical heart but is frequently used figuratively for the seat of feeling, emotion, courage, desire, or passion, often interchangeable with θυμός and φρήν depending on context. In philosophical and medical texts (e.g., Aristotle, Hippocrates), it is associated with the seat of sensation and perception. In the Septuagint, καρδία regularly translates Hebrew לֵב (lev) and לֵבָב (levav), where it carries a range of meanings: not only emotional or affective dimensions, but also the center of thought, will, decision-making, and moral discernment. In the New Testament, καρδία retains this broad field, regularly referring to the inner life: the locus of motives, moral choices, reasoning, and spiritual disposition—not always sharply distinguished from mind, soul, or spirit. English Bible translations often render it simply as 'heart,' but this can obscure its broader range, which encompasses both emotion and cognition. The word may also be used for the central part of a thing (as 'core' or 'center'), but this is less frequent. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek outside the Bible, καρδία also appears in medical and anatomical contexts, as well as common speech for 'courage' or deep emotion. Unlike English, the Greek term does not narrowly differentiate between emotional and rational faculties when referring to the inner self.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

prolonged from a primary (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).

Root Family

καρδία (kardia) — heart, inner self, core, center, seat of emotions, seat of thought

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2588-05 καρδίας kardias N GEN F SG heart of heart 59
G2588-01 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG heart to the heart 54
G2588-03 καρδίαις kardiais N DAT F PL hearts to hearts 21
G2588-04 καρδίαν kardian N ACC F SG heart the heart 17
G2588-06 καρδιῶν kardion N GEN F PL hearts of hearts 4
G2588-02 καρδίαι kardiai N NOM F PL hearts hearts 2

Occurrences in Scripture

157 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2588-01 Matthew 5:8 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG to the heart
G2588-01 Matthew 5:28 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG to the heart
G2588-01 Matthew 6:21 καρδία kardia N NOM F SG to the heart
G2588-03 Matthew 9:4 καρδίαις kardiais N DAT F PL to hearts
G2588-01 Matthew 11:29 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG to the heart
G2588-05 Matthew 12:34 καρδίας kardias N GEN F SG of heart
G2588-01 Matthew 12:40 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG to the heart
G2588-01 Matthew 13:15 καρδία kardia N NOM F SG to the heart
G2588-01 Matthew 13:15 καρδίᾳ kardia-2 N DAT F SG to the heart
G2588-01 Matthew 13:19 καρδίᾳ kardia N DAT F SG to the heart
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