← G4685 G4687 →

σπεῖρα

speîra

G4686 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A body of people organized as a unit, typically referring to a cohort (the standard unit of a Roman legion, usually comprising about 600 soldiers), but also used more generally for any organized group or band. The term can denote both military and non-military groups, depending on context. In some texts, particularly in the New Testament, it most frequently refers to the Roman military cohort stationed in Judea, but can occasionally allude to other organized groups.

Semantic Range

a coil or winding (literal), a Roman military cohort, a group or band (military or organized group), a squad of Levitical gatekeepers (rare, Septuagint)

Root / Etymology

The term is borrowed directly from Latin 'cohors' via the Greek rendering 'σπεῖρα', itself ultimately related to the Greek verb εἱλίσσω ('to roll up, wind'), sharing the sense of something wound or gathered together. The derivation from αἱρέομαι suggested by some sources is less likely. The immediate form is of Latin origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, 'σπεῖρα' originally meant 'anything wound or coiled, a coil', especially of rope or snakes, reflecting its root sense of 'something twisted or rolled up'. Its military usage emerges in Hellenistic Greek under Roman influence, where it became the standard Greek rendering for the Latin 'cohors', the basic tactical unit of a Roman legion. In Second Temple and New Testament writings, 'σπεῖρα' typically refers to a Roman cohort located in Judea, often stationed at Jerusalem or Caesarea. Some Septuagint passages use 'σπεῖρα' more broadly for groups or bands, occasionally non-military, such as Levites assigned as gatekeepers, though this sense is rare in Koine Greek overall. English translations (

Translation Consistency

primary "cohort" 7 occurrences

In the New Testament and LXX contexts this noun most often denotes a Roman military unit or an organized band. 'Cohort' is the natural, concise English term that captures the primary sense (a military or organized group) and matches the majority of attested renderings, ensuring consistent, recognizable translation across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of immediate Latin origin, but ultimately a derivative of αἱρέομαι in the sense of its cognate εἱλίσσω; a coil (spira, "spire"), i.e. (figuratively) a mass of men (a Roman military cohort; also (by analogy) a squad of Levitical janitors):--band.

Root Family

σπεῖρα (speira) — coil, gathered body, organized band, cohort

Root σπεῖρ- to coil, to gather, to wrap

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4686-03 Σπείρης speires N GEN F SG cohort of a gathered cohort of a gathered cohort 3
G4686-02 σπεῖραν speiran N ACC F SG cohort an organized cohort cohort 3
G4686-01 σπεῖρα speira N NOM F SG cohort organized cohort organized cohort 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4686-02 Matthew 27:27 σπεῖραν speiran N ACC F SG cohort an organized cohort cohort
G4686-02 Mark 15:16 σπεῖραν speiran N ACC F SG cohort an organized cohort cohort
G4686-02 John 18:3 σπεῖραν speiran N ACC F SG cohort an organized cohort cohort
G4686-01 John 18:12 σπεῖρα speira N NOM F SG cohort organized cohort organized cohort
G4686-03 Acts 10:1 Σπείρης speires N GEN F SG cohort of a gathered cohort of a gathered cohort
G4686-03 Acts 21:31 σπείρης speires N GEN F SG cohort's of a gathered cohort of a gathered cohort
G4686-03 Acts 27:1 σπείρης speires N GEN F SG of the cohort of a gathered cohort of a gathered cohort
← G4685 Greek Lexicon G4687 →