σεμίδαλις (G4585) — Greek Lexicon

σεμίδαλις

semídalis

G4585 noun

SILEX Entry

Root σεμιδαλ- finely ground, refined, pure

Definition

Finely ground wheat flour, characterized by its whiteness and purity; refers to the highest quality of sifted wheat flour. In specific contexts, denotes flour intended for baking or sacrifice ceremonies; by extension, can indicate refined food products in Greco-Roman gastronomic discourse.

Semantic Range

finely ground wheat flour, refined flour, luxury food product, sacrificial flour, premium baking ingredient

Root / Etymology

Of foreign origin; likely derived from a Semitic (possibly Hebrew or Aramaic) source. Not native to classical Greek and primarily attested in Hellenistic and later vocabulary, including the Septuagint and Koine literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

σεμίδαλις is chiefly found in Hellenistic Greek and is rare or absent in earlier classical literature. The word enters Greek usage via contact with Near Eastern (primarily Semitic-speaking) cultures, reflected by its parallel to the Hebrew "סֹלֶת" (solet, 'fine flour') as seen in the Septuagint, where it often translates this term in cultic and sacrificial contexts. In the Greco-Roman world, σεμίδαλις was contrasted with more coarse wheaten flours (like ἄλευρον) and was prized for both ritual and culinary purposes, including premium bread and cakes. In the New Testament (e.g., Revelation 18:13), the term refers to luxury goods within a list of imports, signaling association with wealth and refined diet. Standard English translations as 'fine flour' accurately convey the physical sense but may mask its socioeconomic or cultic connotations. There is no substantive difference in the use of σεμίδαλις between the Septuagint and New Testament aside from context-specific value (ritual vs. luxury).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of foreign origin; fine wheaten flour:--fine flour.

Root Family

σεμίδαλις (semídalis) — finely ground, refined, pure

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G4585-01`	σεμίδαλιν	semidalin	`N ACC F SG`	fine flour	refined wheat flour	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G4585-01`	Revelation 18:13	σεμίδαλιν	semidalin	`N ACC F SG`	fine flour	refined wheat flour

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