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λόγος

lógos

G3056 noun

SILEX Entry

Root λογ- spoken word, speech, account, reason, narrative

Definition

A word, statement, speech, or utterance; by extension, discourse or the act of speaking; also reason, rational account, or explanation; subject matter or topic under discussion; sometimes calculation or reckoning; in philosophical and theological contexts, underlying principle, rational order, or mediating reason; when used with the article (ὁ λόγος), especially in Johannine literature, serves as an abstract personification or embodiment of divine rationality.

Semantic Range

word, statement, saying, message, speech, discourse, account, narrative, reason, rational principle, thought, argument, explanation, subject matter, reckoning, computation, report, teaching, doctrine, abstract or personified rational principle (especially in John)

Root / Etymology

From the root λέγ-, pertaining to speaking or saying. Related to the verb λέγω, 'to say, to speak, to tell.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, λόγος has a broad semantic range, encompassing not only 'word,' 'speech,' or 'statement' but also 'reason,' 'rational principle,' 'account,' or 'narrative.' It was a key technical term in philosophy, especially among the Stoics, who used it to denote the rational principle governing the cosmos. In the Septuagint, λόγος often renders the Hebrew דָּבָר (dābār), capturing the idea of 'word' as both speech and creative or commanding utterance. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, λόγος could refer to public discourse, narrative, or philosophical reason. In the New Testament, its range includes ordinary speech, teachings, messages, and sometimes the personified or abstract principle of divine self-expression (notably in John 1:1, where ὁ λόγος is commonly translated as 'the Word,' but reflects a complex interplay of Jewish and Hellenistic philosophical ideas). English translations often do not convey the depth or polyvalence of λόγος, reducing it either to 'word' or, less frequently, 'reason.' Contrast with ῥῆμα, which more often denotes a specific spoken utterance or decree, whereas λόγος can refer to the underlying meaning, reason, or rationale behind a statement or argument.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

Root Family

λόγος (logos) — spoken word, speech, account, reason, narrative

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3056-04 λόγον logon N ACC M SG word word 140
G3056-05 λόγος logos N NOM M SG word spoken word 68
G3056-01 λόγῳ logo N DAT M SG word to a word 45
G3056-06 λόγου logou N GEN M SG word of word 27
G3056-07 λόγους logous N ACC M PL words spoken words 23
G3056-03 λόγοις logois N DAT M PL words to words 17
G3056-02 λόγοι logoi N NOM M PL words spoken words 10

Occurrences in Scripture

330 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3056-06 Matthew 5:32 λόγου logou N GEN M SG of word
G3056-05 Matthew 5:37 λόγος logos N NOM M SG spoken word
G3056-07 Matthew 7:24 λόγους logous N ACC M PL spoken words
G3056-07 Matthew 7:26 λόγους logous N ACC M PL spoken words
G3056-07 Matthew 7:28 λόγους logous N ACC M PL spoken words
G3056-01 Matthew 8:8 λόγῳ logo N DAT M SG to a word
G3056-01 Matthew 8:16 λόγῳ logo N DAT M SG to a word
G3056-07 Matthew 10:14 λόγους logous N ACC M PL spoken words
G3056-04 Matthew 12:32 λόγον logon N ACC M SG word
G3056-04 Matthew 12:36 λόγον logon N ACC M SG word
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