μεσουράνημα (G3321) — Greek Lexicon

μεσουράνημα

mesouránēma

G3321 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A point or region in the middle of the sky; the zenith or highest point reached in the sky's expanse. In specific contexts, especially apocalyptic or visionary language, it denotes the 'midpoint of heaven,' commonly the location from which proclamations or signs are made visible to all below. The sense extends from a physical/astronomical midpoint of the sky to a figurative elevated position in visionary literature.

Semantic Range

middle of the sky, zenith, midst of heaven, highest point in the sky, position of maximum visibility/audibility

Root / Etymology

From the combination of μέσος ('middle') and οὐρανός ('sky, heaven'), literally 'mid-sky' or 'mid-heaven.' No evidence of independent occurrence outside compound form; formed as a descriptive compound with clear semantic components.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Appears in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including apocalyptic literature such as the book of Revelation (NT) and works like 4 Maccabees. The term is a hapax legomenon in the New Testament (Revelation 8:13; 14:6; 19:17) and is used to denote the place in the sky that is most visible or central — hence well-suited for proclamations heard or seen by all inhabitants of the earth. Not found in classical Greek sources, indicating possibly Jewish-Hellenistic or apocalyptic origin. English translations typically render it 'midheaven,' 'midst of heaven,' or similar, but this often fails to capture the technical sense of the zenith or culminating point in the sky, emphasizing maximum visibility and audibility. The word does not reference a theologically distinct realm but an observational midpoint from an earthly perspective.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed compound of μέσος and οὐρανός; mid-sky:--midst of heaven.

Root Family

μεσουράνημα (mesouranēma) — middle, sky, heaven, zenith

Root μεσο-, οὐραν- middle, sky; heaven

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3321-01`	μεσουρανήματι	mesouranemati	`N DAT N SG`	midheaven	in the mid-sky	mid-sky	3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3321-01`	Revelation 8:13	μεσουρανήματι	mesouranemati	`N DAT N SG`	midheaven	in the mid-sky	mid-sky
`G3321-01`	Revelation 14:6	μεσουρανήματι	mesouranemati	`N DAT N SG`	midheaven	in the mid-sky	the mid-sky
`G3321-01`	Revelation 19:17	μεσουρανήματι	mesouranemati	`N DAT N SG`	midheaven	in the mid-sky	mid-sky

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