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λεγεών

legeṓn

G3003 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A contingent or division comprising many individuals, especially a Roman military unit of substantial size; in broader usage, a large multitude or host. In New Testament and Koine contexts, the term specifically denotes a Roman legion—a principal military unit (typically about 5,000–6,000 soldiers) but may also be used figuratively to refer to a vast, overwhelming number, as in descriptions of crowds or multitudes of non-human entities (such as demons).

Semantic Range

Roman military legion, large group, multitude, overwhelming host (literal and figurative)

Root / Etymology

Greek λεγεών (legeṓn) is a loanword, taken directly from Latin legio, which signified a division of the Roman army. The borrowing reflects contact with Roman military and administrative systems in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Historical & Contextual Notes

λεγεών appears in Greek literature primarily in the Roman and late Hellenistic periods, reflecting the influence of Roman military organization on the Greek-speaking world. In the New Testament, it is used both literally, referring to the Roman legion as the standard large military division (e.g., Mark 5:9, 15; Luke 8:30), and metaphorically, for an immense number of supernatural beings (demons), conveying overwhelming power or multitude. In the LXX, the word does not occur, as the Roman legion is anachronistic for earlier periods. The primary meaning retained in classical references is the strictly military sense, while the New Testament broadens the application to figurative senses. English translations often render λεγεών as 'legion,' mirroring the Latin, but this does not always capture the figurative extension seen in some biblical passages. The choice to transliterate rather than translate ('legion' rather than 'division' or 'multitude') reflects historical specificity but may obscure figurative connotations in non-military contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Latin origin; a "legion", i.e. Roman regiment (figuratively):--legion.

Root Family

λεγεων- (legeṓn) — military unit, multitude, division

Root λεγεων- military unit, multitude, division

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3003-01 λεγεών legeon N NOM F SG Legion legion legion 1
G3003-02 λεγεῶνα legeona N ACC M SG legion a legion a legion 1
G3003-03 Λεγιὼν legion N NOM F SG Legion legionary division Legion 1
G3003-04 λεγιῶνας legionas N ACC F PL legions legions legions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3003-04 Matthew 26:53 λεγιῶνας legionas N ACC F PL legions legions legions
G3003-03 Mark 5:9 Λεγιὼν legion N NOM F SG Legion legionary division Legion
G3003-02 Mark 5:15 λεγεῶνα legeona N ACC M SG legion a legion a legion
G3003-01 Luke 8:30 λεγεών legeon N NOM F SG Legion legion legion
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