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τεῖχος

teîchos

G5038 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A constructed or built wall, particularly a defensive wall surrounding or protecting a city, fortress, or inhabited area. In context, refers to a substantial barrier as part of fortifications rather than an internal partition within a house. Can also denote city walls as symbols of communal defense, security, or separation.

Semantic Range

defensive city wall, fortification wall, rampart, walled fortification, protective enclosure

Root / Etymology

From the root τειχ-, potentially related to τίκτω ('to produce, bring forth') but the precise derivation is uncertain; may also connect to an ancient Indo-European base meaning 'to form' or 'to build'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τεῖχος consistently refers to the outer walls of a city or stronghold, often in distinction from more generic terms for wall or partitioning (such as τοῖχος, used more often for interior walls). The term appears frequently in Homer, Herodotus, and Greek historians, often symbolizing a city's strength or vulnerability. In the Septuagint and New Testament, τεῖχος continues to denote the fortified stone barriers that encircle ancient cities (such as Jerusalem or Jericho), emphasizing military or protective function. English translations typically render τεῖχος as 'wall,' but such renderings may obscure the strong connotation of fortification and enclosure inherent in the term, as opposed to indoor or boundary walls.

Translation Consistency

primary "wall" 9 occurrences

teîchos denotes a constructed defensive wall or city fortification; the simple noun “wall” is the most natural, broadly accurate English term and can be used with modifiers (city wall, fortification, rampart) to capture specific senses. It is clearer and more idiomatic than the heavier “fortification” or the adjective forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to the base of τίκτω; a wall (as formative of a house):--wall.

Root Family

τεῖχος (teichos) — to build walls, to fortify, defensive wall, rampart

Root τειχ- to build walls, to fortify

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5038-03 τείχους teichous N GEN N SG wall of a fortified wall of a fortified wall 4
G5038-02 τεῖχος teichos N ACC N SG wall fortification wall a wall 4
G5038-01 τείχη teiche N NOM N PL walls fortification walls fortification walls 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5038-03 Acts 9:25 τείχους teichous N GEN N SG wall of a fortified wall of a fortified wall
G5038-03 2 Corinthians 11:33 τείχους teichous N GEN N SG wall of a fortified wall of a fortified wall
G5038-01 Hebrews 11:30 τείχη teiche N NOM N PL walls fortification walls fortification walls
G5038-02 Revelation 21:12 τεῖχος teichos N ACC N SG a wall fortification wall a wall
G5038-02 Revelation 21:14 τεῖχος teichos N NOM N SG wall fortification wall a wall
G5038-02 Revelation 21:15 τεῖχος teichos N ACC N SG wall fortification wall wall
G5038-02 Revelation 21:17 τεῖχος teichos N ACC N SG wall fortification wall a wall
G5038-03 Revelation 21:18 τείχους teichous N GEN N SG wall of a fortified wall of a fortified wall
G5038-03 Revelation 21:19 τείχους teichous N GEN N SG wall of a fortified wall of a fortified wall
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