μονή
monḗ
G3438 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A staying, dwelling, or residence; refers primarily to the act of remaining or abiding, and by extension, to a place (abode or lodging) where one stays or dwells. In certain contexts, indicates a specific, enduring dwelling-place or habitation, sometimes with the nuance of a permanent or prepared residence.
Semantic Range
abiding, remaining, dwelling, act of staying, place of residence, a lodging, a permanent abode
Root / Etymology
Noun formed from the verb μένω (to remain, to stay), by addition of the feminine noun suffix -ή (-ē). The root sense is connected to the act of staying or remaining in a place.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μονή is a rare term in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, with limited attestations. In classical Greek it can refer generally to the act of remaining or abiding. The New Testament usage (notably John 14:2, 14:23) denotes a place of dwelling or abiding, often translated as 'abode' or 'mansion' in English. This translation tradition renders μονή in a highly figurative or even eschatological sense, but the original Greek emphasizes a place to dwell, not architectural grandeur. The concept is not tied to a specific kind of structure, and English 'mansion' reflects older usage rather than contemporary meaning. μονή contrasts with more common terms like οἰκία (house), οἶκος (household), or καταλύμα (inn, lodging), by focusing on the quality of abiding or remaining, rather than the material structure or social unit. The word is almost entirely absent from the Septuagint; its NT use likely draws on Greek philosophical traditions (notably those using μένω and its cognates to discuss persistence and being) as well as a broad Hellenistic sense of permanency.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μένω; a staying, i.e. residence (the act or the place):--abode, mansion.
Root Family
μονή (monē) — remaining, abiding, dwelling, residence
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3438-02 |
μονὴν | monen | N ACC F SG |
abode | a dwelling-place | 1 |
G3438-01 |
μοναὶ | monai | N NOM F PL |
mansions | dwelling places | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3438-01 |
John 14:2 | μοναὶ | monai | N NOM F PL |
mansions | dwelling places |
G3438-02 |
John 14:23 | μονὴν | monen | N ACC F SG |
abode | a dwelling-place |