μελίσσιος
melíssios
G3193
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to honey, especially that which is produced by bees; specifically, of or connected to a honeycomb. In Koine Greek usage, the term typically refers to honeycomb or something made of honey, with attention to its origin from bees.
Semantic Range
pertaining to honey, derived from bees, of honeycomb, produced by bees, bee-related
Root / Etymology
With the adjectival suffix -ιος, formed from μέλι (honey). Thus, μελίσσιος means 'pertaining to honey' or 'honeybee-related.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
μελίσσιος is a rare adjective derived from μέλι (honey). While μέλι denotes the substance 'honey,' μελίσσιος describes something characteristic of or originating from bees, usually the honeycomb itself (i.e., bee-made honeycomb, not artificially procured or processed honey). Its appearance in Koine Greek texts is mainly in descriptions of food items in the context of bee-produced honeycomb. The Septuagint and New Testament use the cognate noun μέλι more frequently, with μελίσσιος serving to specify that the honeycomb is bee-derived, emphasizing natural as opposed to artificial origin. In later patristic and medical literature, μελίσσιος and forms like μελισσόκηρος ('beeswax') appear as technical terms. English translations often use 'honeycomb,' but the Greek conveys the nuance of bee origin, rather than just the comb structure itself. Classical Greek more commonly uses related terms such as μελισσοῦν (to be like a bee) or refers to honeycomb with κηρίον.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μέλι; relating to honey, i.e. bee (comb):--honeycomb.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 total occurrences
No occurrences found.