νεωκόρος (G3511) — Greek Lexicon

νεωκόρος

neōkóros

G3511 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A caretaker, guardian, or official of a temple—originally one charged with the upkeep, maintenance, or service of a temple or sacred space. In some Hellenistic and Roman contexts, the term broadened to denote cities officially recognized as holding responsibility for the cultic care of an imperial or major deity's temple, and by extension, the civic title for those connected to such status. Secondary senses may include an honorary title for individuals or cities tasked with special ritual roles or privileges related to temple maintenance or worship.

Semantic Range

temple-servant, temple-keeper, temple-custodian, official guardian of a temple, honorary title for a city with responsibility for an imperial or major cult temple, caretaker, civic temple-bearer

Root / Etymology

From ναός (temple, sanctuary) + κορέω (to sweep, to maintain), the latter an older verb rarely attested directly in Koine. Thus, literally 'temple-sweeper' or 'temple-keeper.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, νεωκόρος primarily referred to a menial servant charged with sweeping or cleaning a temple. By the Hellenistic and especially Roman Imperial periods, especially in Asia Minor, it became both an individual title and an honorary or civic designation. In inscriptions, cities such as Ephesus or Smyrna are called νεωκόρος when they were granted the privilege (by the Roman authorities) of maintaining a temple for the emperor or another deity—a significant political and religious honor. In the New Testament (Acts 19:35), Ephesus is called 'νεωκόρος of Artemis,' indicating its status as official guardian and maintainer of the cult and temple, not merely the work of an individual servant. Standard translations like 'temple-keeper' or 'worshipper' do not always capture this civic and honorific nuance. The term never strictly meant 'worshipper' in the sense of general devotee, but specifically denoted the custodial or official caretaking relationship to a temple, and, by extension, civic pride or status tied to that role. Distinct from other religious functionaries: for example, ἱερεύς (priest) refers to ritual function, while νεωκόρος highlights temple responsibility and status, whether individual or civic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a form of ναός and (to sweep); a temple-servant, i.e. (by implication) a votary:--worshipper.

Root Family

ναοκορ- (neōkóros) — to care for a temple, to maintain, to serve as custodian

Root ναοκορ- to care for a temple, to maintain, to serve as custodian

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3511-01`	νεωκόρον	neokoron	`N ACC M SG`	temple guardian	temple-custodian	temple guardian	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3511-01`	Acts 19:35	νεωκόρον	neokoron	`N ACC M SG`	temple guardian	temple-custodian	temple guardian

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