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τέρας

téras

G5059 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A marvel or astonishing event, especially one perceived as extraordinary, prodigious, or portending something beyond ordinary experience. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, τέρας typically refers to an unusual or supernatural phenomenon perceived as a sign or portent, often prompting amazement, awe, or fearful reaction. In the New Testament and related literature, commonly used in the plural and frequently paired with σημεῖον ('sign') to denote miraculous acts or extraordinary occurrences regarded as signs of divine activity or intervention.

Semantic Range

marvel, prodigy, portent, omen, supernatural occurrence, astonishing event, miracle, sign of divine intervention

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain; no secure connection to other attested Greek roots. The word appears already in classical Greek with similar meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τέρας denotes a portent, prodigy, or omen—typically a marvelous or unnatural event interpreted as a divine or supernatural sign either foreboding disaster or indicating a message from the gods. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), τέρας continues this sense but is often coupled with σημεῖον ('sign'), as in 'signs and wonders,' to refer to miraculous deeds or phenomena interpreted as evidence of divine power. The pairing with σημεῖον suggests that while σημεῖον emphasizes the function as a sign, τέρας accentuates the astonishing, fearful, or prodigious character of what occurs. English translation as 'wonder' renders only part of the term's range—τέρας includes not only marvels causing awe, but also portents and omens, thus connoting both amazement and the sense of events being manifestations of higher (often divine) activity. The word is not predominantly religious; in some Hellenistic contexts it may refer to any prodigious or unnatural occurrence. In subsequent Jewish and early Christian texts, 'wonders (τέρατα)' often describe alleged miracles, especially when combined with 'signs.'

Translation Consistency

primary "wonder" 15 occurrences

‘Wonder’ is the most natural, flexible English noun covering the typical senses (marvel, prodigy, portent, miracle) and matches the dominant P2 rendering pattern (‘wonders’). It reads naturally in singular/plural forms and pairs well with σημεῖον (e.g. ‘wonders and signs’), so it preserves the common New Testament usage while remaining broad enough for less overtly divine portents.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"portents" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen:--wonder.

Root Family

τέρας (teras) — marvel, prodigy, portent, omen

Root τερασ- marvel, prodigy, portent, omen

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5059-03 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders 11
G5059-02 τέρασιν terasin N DAT N PL wonders to marvels wonders 3
G5059-04 τεράτων teraton N GEN N PL wonders of prodigies of wonders 1
G5059-01 τέρασι terasi N DAT N PL wonders to portents with portents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5059-03 Matthew 24:24 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Mark 13:22 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 John 4:48 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Acts 2:19 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-01 Acts 2:22 τέρασι terasi N DAT N PL wonders to portents with portents
G5059-03 Acts 2:43 τέρατα terata N NOM N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Acts 4:30 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Acts 5:12 τέρατα terata N NOM N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Acts 6:8 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
G5059-03 Acts 7:36 τέρατα terata N ACC N PL wonders astonishing portents astonishing wonders
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