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νομοθέτης

nomothétēs

G3550 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Person who formulates or enacts laws; specifically, one who establishes, defines, or interprets legal codes or statutes. In Koine contexts, refers to a designer or originator of law, whether divine or human.

Semantic Range

lawgiver, legislator, originator of law, one who enacts or defines law, founder of a legal code, divine author of law

Root / Etymology

Compound of νόμος ('law') and τιθέναι (the verbal root τίθημι, 'to put, place, establish'). Represents 'one who sets law' or 'law-establisher'. No evidence of Semitic etymological influence in formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

νομοθέτης is a rare term in extant Greek literature, attested primarily in later, post-classical sources and the New Testament (notably in Hebrews 7:2). In classical sources, νομοθέτης specifically referred to lawmakers such as Solon or Lycurgus—those viewed as originators of legal codes. In Hellenistic and Roman-period Greek, the term broadened to include anyone with the authority to declare or institute laws, including divine figures. In the New Testament, the word is applied uniquely to God as ultimate 'lawgiver.' English Bibles typically render the term as 'lawgiver,' but this translation may not adequately capture the dynamic role (not merely issuer, but also originator, interpreter, and enforcer) implied in Greek usage. Distinct from related terms such as νομοδιδάσκαλος ('law-teacher') or νομοφύλαξ ('law-guardian'), as νομοθέτης is concerned with the founding or origination of law rather than its teaching or enforcement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from νόμος and a derivative of τίθημι; a legislator:--lawgiver.

Root Family

νομοθέτης (nomothetēs) — law-establisher, legislator, law-setter

Root νομο-, θετ- to lay down, to establish (law), to set in place

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3550-01 νομοθέτης nomothetes N NOM M SG lawgiver law-establisher lawgiver 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3550-01 James 4:12 νομοθέτης nomothetes N NOM M SG lawgiver law-establisher lawgiver
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