κέραμος
kéramos
G2766 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Baked clay, terracotta, or earthenware – usually in the form of a vessel made from fired clay, such as a pot, jar, or tile. In some contexts, specifically refers to a roofing tile or fragment of such; can broadly denote objects made of terracotta, including pottery and architectural elements. In the New Testament, κέραμος notably appears in the sense of roof tiles or the tiled surface of a roof.
Semantic Range
clay material, earthenware, pottery vessel, roof tile, brick, baked clay object
Root / Etymology
From the root κερ- (uncertain etymology), possibly related to κεράννυμι ('to mix'), referring to the mixing of clay and water in pottery making. Classical sources also connect it to cognate forms denoting clay or pottery.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, κέραμος primarily denotes 'clay' as a material, and by extension 'earthenware,' such as pots, jars, bricks, or other ceramic items. In architectural contexts, especially in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, κέραμος frequently refers to pottery tiles used in roofing (i.e., roof tiles or shingles). In some literary and documentary papyri, the term may refer generically to earthenware vessels. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 5:19), κέραμος specifically picks out roof tiles, which aligns with Greco-Roman construction practices. Standard English translations often render the term as 'tile' or 'roof tile' in narrative contexts, but broader semantic fields include ceramic materials used in both household and building contexts. Septuagint usage similarly refers to vessels or bricks made of fired clay, consistent with contemporary Greek-speaking societies.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the base of κεράννυμι (through the idea of mixing clay and water); earthenware, i.e. a tile (by analogy, a thin roof or awning):--tiling.
Root Family
κέραμος (kéramos) — clay, pottery, earthenware
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2766-01 |
κεράμων | keramon | N GEN M PL |
tiles | of earthenware vessels | tiles | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2766-01 |
Luke 5:19 | κεράμων | keramon | N GEN M PL |
tiles | of earthenware vessels | tiles |