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ἀνώγεον

anṓgeon

G508 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἄνω-γ- above, upper, upper story

Definition

An upper room, specifically a room located on an upper floor of a building, often used for dining, gathering, or lodging. In the New Testament context, typically refers to a private upper chamber distinct from the common living space on the ground floor. It may also serve as a guest room, meeting place, or space for significant gatherings and meals.

Semantic Range

upper room, room upstairs, guest chamber, meeting room on the upper level, elevated inner chamber

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἄνω ('up, above') and γῆ ('earth, ground'), indicating a space elevated above the ground level. The literal sense is 'that which is above the ground.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and Roman-period architecture, the ἀνώγεον referred to an upper-level room—often accessed by stairs from inside or outside the house. Such rooms were used for various purposes: feasting, lodging guests, or gatherings away from the public eye. In the New Testament and related literature, ἀνώγεον refers to the upper room where important events such as the Last Supper (Luke 22:12; Mark 14:15) or gatherings of followers occurred. It is distinct from κατώγιον, a lower or cellar room. English translations often render ἀνώγεον as 'upper room' or 'guest room.' This, however, does not fully convey its architectural or social significance in its original context, where the presence of such a room signaled respectability or relative prosperity. The term is not common in the Septuagint, appearing primarily in Koine and late Greek sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἄνω and γῆ; above the ground, i.e. (properly) the second floor of a building; used for a dome or a balcony on the upper story:--upper room.

Root Family

ἀνώγεον (anōgeon) — above, upper, upper story, elevated chamber

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G508-01 ἀνάγαιον anagaion N ACC N SG upper room upper chamber upper chamber 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G508-01 Mark 14:15 ἀνάγαιον anagaion N ACC N SG upper room upper chamber upper chamber
G508-01 Luke 22:12 ἀνάγαιον anagaion N ACC N SG upper room upper chamber upper chamber
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