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πῦρ

pŷr

G4442 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary meaning: fire, a physical phenomenon involving flame and heat. The term extends metaphorically to intense force, consuming energy, or purification processes; in some contexts, it also signifies divine presence, judgment, or zeal. In figurative use, πῦρ can denote emotional intensity, such as passion or anger, or destructive power.

Semantic Range

fire (literal flame), lightning, consuming element, destructive power, purifying force, divine presence (as in theophanies), symbol of judgment, zeal or fervor, passion, anger

Root / Etymology

From the root πῦρ; Indo-European origin, related to Sanskrit pu, English 'fire', Latin 'pur', indicating a very ancient verbal root associated with fire or burning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested since Homeric Greek, πῦρ refers fundamentally to elemental fire, whether in domestic, natural, or divine situations. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, it could describe literal fire (for cooking, burning, or warmth), natural fires (lightning, volcanic activity), or symbolically, as a purifying or destructive force. In the Septuagint, πῦρ often translates Hebrew אֵשׁ (esh), covering both ordinary fire and supernatural manifestations (as in theophanies, sacrifices). In the New Testament, uses of πῦρ include literal senses (campfires, lamp flames), metaphorical expressions (unquenchable fire as judgment), and symbolic imagery of purification, the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3), or eschatological destruction. English translations almost always use 'fire', but some passages require careful reading to grasp whether literal, metaphorical, or symbolic meaning is intended. Standard English translations generally capture the basic meaning but may underplay nuances of purity, passion, or judgment present in Greek contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "fire" 50 occurrences

πῦρ’s primary, dominant meaning is the physical phenomenon of fire (flame, heat). ‘Fire’ is the most natural, common English equivalent and easily covers the usual metaphorical senses (consuming/destructive force, purification, divine presence, zeal/anger) without awkwardness. It also matches the overwhelming frequency of existing renderings and ensures consistent, natural wording across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning):--fiery, fire.

Root Family

πῦρ- (pŷr) — fire, burn

Root πῦρ- fire, burn

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4442-01 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire 28
G4442-03 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire 28
G4442-02 πυρί puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire 17

Occurrences in Scripture

73 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4442-01 Matthew 3:10 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG the fire fire fire
G4442-02 Matthew 3:11 πυρί puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire
G4442-02 Matthew 3:12 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG with fire in fire in fire
G4442-03 Matthew 5:22 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-01 Matthew 7:19 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG the fire fire fire
G4442-02 Matthew 13:40 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire
G4442-03 Matthew 13:42 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Matthew 13:50 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-01 Matthew 17:15 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Matthew 18:8 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 Matthew 18:9 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-01 Matthew 25:41 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Mark 9:22 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG the fire fire fire
G4442-01 Mark 9:43 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Mark 9:44 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Mark 9:46 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Mark 9:48 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-02 Mark 9:49 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG with fire in fire in fire
G4442-01 Luke 3:9 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-02 Luke 3:16 πυρί puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire
G4442-02 Luke 3:17 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG with-fire in fire in fire
G4442-01 Luke 9:54 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Luke 12:49 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Luke 17:29 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 Luke 22:55 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG a fire fire fire
G4442-01 John 15:6 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 Acts 2:3 πυρός puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-01 Acts 2:19 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 Acts 7:30 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-01 Acts 28:5 πῦρ pur N ACC N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 Romans 12:20 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-02 1 Corinthians 3:13 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire
G4442-01 1 Corinthians 3:13 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 1 Corinthians 3:15 πυρός puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-02 2 Thessalonians 1:8 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG fire in fire in fire
G4442-03 Hebrews 1:7 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Hebrews 10:27 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Hebrews 11:34 πυρός puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-02 Hebrews 12:18 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG with fire in fire in fire
G4442-01 Hebrews 12:29 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG a fire fire
G4442-01 James 3:5 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-01 James 3:6 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG is a fire fire fire
G4442-01 James 5:3 πῦρ pur N NOM N SG fire fire fire
G4442-03 1 Peter 1:7 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-02 2 Peter 3:7 πυρὶ puri N DAT N SG for-fire in fire in fire
G4442-03 Jude 1:7 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Jude 1:23 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Revelation 1:14 πυρός puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Revelation 2:18 πυρός puros N GEN N SG of fire of fire of fire
G4442-03 Revelation 3:18 πυρὸς puros N GEN N SG fire of fire of fire
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