κεραμικός
keramikós
G2764 restrictive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Made of clay; relating to or composed of fired earth or pottery. The term primarily denotes something constructed from clay, especially pottery or earthenware. Depending on context, can refer to objects, vessels, or materials prepared by a potter.
Semantic Range
made of clay, earthen, pottery-related, pertaining to or composed of ceramic or earthenware, constructed or fashioned by a potter
Root / Etymology
From the noun κέραμος (keramos, 'clay', 'potter’s earth', or 'pottery') with the adjectival suffix -ικός forming an adjective describing material or relation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κεραμικός is a rare term in Koine Greek, mostly adjectival, and is used to describe objects or materials made of clay, in contrast with those made of metal, wood, or stone. In classical Greek, the root κέραμος referred broadly to clay as a substance (both in raw and worked condition), or to things made of clay. The adjectival form appears more frequently in later Greek and in technical or descriptive contexts, particularly for pottery vessels and tiles. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term is uncommon and specific, typically translated as 'earthen' or 'pottery', though English translations do not always distinguish it from other words for vessels. Latin ceramicus and later English 'ceramic' derive from this root, showing the word’s influence on vocabulary for pottery and kiln-fired products. Hebrew parallels include יֹצֵר ('potter') and חָרֶשׂ ('clay vessel'), which are rendered using κέραμος in LXX but do not always have an equivalent adjective like κεραμικός. The word is not limited to artisanship but extends to built materials in certain contexts, like roof tiles or bricks.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κέραμος; made of clay, i.e. earthen:--of a potter.
Root Family
κεραμικός (keramikos) — clay, earthenware, pottery
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2764-01 |
κεραμικὰ | keramika | ADJ.R NOM N PL |
of the potter | earthenware items | earthenware items | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2764-01 |
Revelation 2:27 | κεραμικὰ | keramika | ADJ.R NOM N PL |
of the potter | earthenware items | earthenware items |