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κῆρυξ

kēryx

G2783 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A herald; one who makes public proclamations, often on behalf of a sovereign, city, or deity. In various Hellenistic contexts, a crier or official announcer charged with delivering messages, announcements, or decrees. In New Testament and related Jewish-Greek literature, specifically one who publicly proclaims a message relating to divine matters—especially relating to the announcement of significant news or commands from God. Carries the sense of an authorized bearer of an important message, but is not limited to religious contexts.

Semantic Range

herald, public announcer, messenger (official representative); proclaimer of divine or significant news; envoy or intermediary carrying authoritative or sacred messages; preacher (in Christian New Testament contexts)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb κηρύσσω ('to proclaim, announce') and related to the root κηρυκ-. The term existed in classical Greek as early as Homeric texts. Not derived from Hebrew/Aramaic; Greek in origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classically, κῆρυξ referred to a herald—often a person appointed by a king, city-state, or assembly, responsible for making public announcements, summoning meetings, acting as an envoy in diplomatic situations, or issuing proclamations. The herald often held a protected, sometimes sacral status. In Hellenistic and Judaean settings, the term was employed both for secular officials (e.g., announcing games, gatherings, decrees) and, metaphorically, in religious or cultic contexts (announcing sacred festivals or divine will). In the Septuagint, κῆρυξ occasionally translates Hebrew terms for messengers or announcers. In the New Testament, κῆρυξ typically designates a person who announces God's message or the 'good news', notably in Paul's letters (e.g., 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11), but not exclusively for Christian contexts—elsewhere the term retains secular or religiously neutral meaning. English translations as 'preacher' partially reflect the NT usage, but the word is broader and rooted in public proclamation, not exclusively religious teaching. Unlike the term διδάσκαλος ('teacher'), κῆρυξ emphasizes the role of delivering an authoritative message publicly, rather than instructing or explaining in detail.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κηρύσσω; a herald, i.e. of divine truth (especially of the gospel):--preacher.

Root Family

κῆρυξ (kēryx) — herald, public proclaimer, official announcer

Root κηρυκ- to proclaim, announce publicly, act as a herald

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2783-02 κῆρυξ kerux N NOM M SG a preacher herald herald 2
G2783-01 κήρυκα keruka N ACC M SG preacher herald herald 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2783-02 1 Timothy 2:7 κῆρυξ kerux N NOM M SG a preacher herald herald
G2783-02 2 Timothy 1:11 κῆρυξ kerux N NOM M SG a preacher herald herald
G2783-01 2 Peter 2:5 κήρυκα keruka N ACC M SG preacher herald herald
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