πανήγυρις
panḗgyris
G3831 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A festive public assembly, especially one held in honor of a deity or for a solemn religious occasion; a large gathering or convocation. In extended or metaphorical contexts, a collective or universal assembly of people united for a common purpose or identity.
Semantic Range
festive public assembly, solemn religious gathering, festival congregation, large civic convocation, a universal or spiritual assembly (metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From πᾶς ('all, every') and ἀγείρω ('to assemble'), via a nominal derivative related to ἀγορά ('marketplace, assembly'). The term originally denoted an assembling of all (i.e., a complete gathering).
Historical & Contextual Notes
πανήγυρις appears in classical Greek literature to describe the formal, festive assembly or festival associated with civic or religious occasions, especially pan-Hellenic festivals like the Olympic Games or religious celebrations at sanctuaries. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it closely retains this sense of a formal gathering, with strong associations of festivity and public participation. In the Septuagint, it sometimes translates Hebrew words denoting sacred assemblies or pilgrim festivals (e.g., חג, מִקְרָא-קֹדֶשׁ), highlighting communal worship. In the New Testament (Hebrews 12:23), it is used metaphorically for the 'assembly of the firstborn,' indicating a spiritual gathering rather than a literal festival. English translations such as 'general assembly' capture only part of its meaning, often missing the festive, solemn, or religious overtones present in ancient usage. πανήγυρις differs from terms like ἐκκλησία (used for civic assemblies or the community of believers) and συνάγωγή (typically for synagogue or gathering), emphasizing not just gathering but festivity, completeness, and celebratory character.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πᾶς and a derivative of ἀγορά; a mass-meeting, i.e. (figuratively) universal companionship:--general assembly.
Root Family
πανήγυρις (panēgyris) — all, assemble, gather, public festival, solemn convocation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3831-01 |
πανηγύρει | panegurei | N DAT F SG |
in festal gathering | to a festal assembly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3831-01 |
Hebrews 12:22 | πανηγύρει | panegurei | N DAT F SG |
in festal gathering | to a festal assembly |