παροψίς
paropsís
G3953 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A dish or platter, especially one used for serving food, often side dishes or delicacies accompanying a main meal. In broader usage, any shallow dish or serving plate, but typically one larger and more formal than a simple bowl or personal plate. In some contexts, refers specifically to a ceremonial or ornate platter used in banqueting or ritual meals.
Semantic Range
platter, large serving dish, dish for side courses, ceremonial platter, formal serving vessel
Root / Etymology
From παρά ('beside, alongside') and a root related to ὀψάριον (a diminutive form of ὄψον, 'cooked food,' especially relish, seasoning, or fish served with bread). The formation suggests 'something that accompanies (food)' or 'dish for relishes.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, παροψίς referred to a serving dish for side dishes or relishes, often implying a degree of formality or refinement in presentation—banqueting contexts or well-appointed meals. In the Koine period, including the New Testament (see Matthew 23:25, 26), it denotes a large serving dish or platter, typically distinct from cups, bowls, or plates used for individual portions. The term also occurs in descriptions of banquets in Greek literature, often denoting sophistication or abundance. In English translations, 'platter' is common, but this can obscure the cultural practice of multi-dish banquets and the significance attached to serving vessels in Greco-Roman dining. While the term appears only rarely in the LXX, its form and referent are preserved in culinary and ritual dining contexts of the period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and the base of ὀψάριον; a side-dish (the receptacle):--platter.
Root Family
παροψίς (paropsis) — serving dish, platter, plate for side dishes
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3953-01 |
παροψίδος | paropsidos | N GEN F SG |
of a serving platter | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3953-01 |
Matthew 23:25 | παροψίδος | paropsidos | N GEN F SG |
of a serving platter | |
G3953-01 |
Matthew 23:26 | παροψίδος | paropsidos | N GEN F SG |
of a serving platter |