← G5092 G5094 →

τίμιος

tímios

G5093 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having high value, worth, or esteem; primarily denotes that which is highly valued either materially or metaphorically. In reference to material objects, describes something expensive or costly. In reference to persons, describes someone esteemed, held in honor or respect, or dear. Used both for physical objects considered precious and for persons regarded as esteemed, honored, or beloved.

Semantic Range

of great value, expensive, highly valued, costly (of objects); esteemed, honored, respected, held in honor (of persons); beloved, dear

Root / Etymology

From τιμή (value, honor, price), formed with the adjective suffix -ιος, denoting 'pertaining to' or 'characterized by'. The etymology reflects the idea of something imbued with τιμή—honor or value.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τίμιος is often used to define objects of great worth (e.g., precious metals, costly goods), and by extension, persons regarded as worthy of honor or respect. In the Septuagint, the word commonly renders Hebrew terms indicating preciousness or dearness, applied to objects (such as stones or holdings) or to persons (such as beloved or honored individuals). In the New Testament, τίμιος retains the dual sense: material (precious, costly, notably 1 Pet 1:19, 'precious blood') and personal or moral (esteemed, dear, honorable, e.g., Rev 17:4; 1 Peter 2:4, 6; James 5:7). The English translation 'precious' or 'honorable' does not always capture the breadth of nuance, particularly the overlap of material and intangible worth. Unlike related terms like ἔντιμος (in honor, held in honor), τίμιος focuses more on inherent value rather than external repute. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, it continues to denote both physical and moral or relational worth, with expanded metaphoric use.

Translation Consistency

primary "precious" 9 occurrences

'Precious' is the most natural, idiomatic English that covers the full semantic range of τίμιος — valuable/costly for objects and beloved/esteemed for persons. It is also the most frequent render in the P2 data, and reads naturally in both literal and figurative contexts.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"esteemed" (1x) "highly valued" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τιμή; valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved:--dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation.

Root Family

τίμιος (tímios) — valuable, honored, esteemed, costly, dear

Root τιμ- to value, to honor, to give worth

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5093-03 τιμίῳ timio ADJ.A DAT N SG precious to the highly valued one precious 4
G5093-05 τίμιος timios ADJ.A NOM M SG honorable esteemed esteemed 2
G5093-06 τιμίου timiou ADJ.A GEN M SG precious of a highly valued one precious 1
G5093-07 τιμίους timious ADJ.A ACC M PL precious highly valued ones precious ones 1
G5093-01 τίμια timia ADJ.A ACC N PL precious highly valued things precious 1
G5093-02 τιμίαν timian ADJ.S ACC F SG dear highly valued highly valued 1
G5093-04 τίμιον timion ADJ.A ACC M SG precious highly valued precious 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5093-05 Acts 5:34 τίμιος timios ADJ.A NOM M SG respected esteemed esteemed
G5093-02 Acts 20:24 τιμίαν timian ADJ.S ACC F SG dear highly valued highly valued
G5093-07 1 Corinthians 3:12 τιμίους timious ADJ.A ACC M PL precious highly valued ones precious ones
G5093-05 Hebrews 13:4 τίμιος timios ADJ.P NOM M SG honorable esteemed precious
G5093-04 James 5:7 τίμιον timion ADJ.A ACC M SG precious highly valued precious
G5093-03 1 Peter 1:19 τιμίῳ timio ADJ.A DAT N SG precious to the highly valued one with precious
G5093-01 2 Peter 1:4 τίμια timia ADJ.A ACC N PL precious highly valued things precious
G5093-03 Revelation 17:4 τιμίῳ timio ADJ.A DAT M SG precious to the highly valued one precious
G5093-06 Revelation 18:12 τιμίου timiou ADJ.A GEN M SG precious of a highly valued one precious
G5093-03 Revelation 18:16 τιμίῳ timio ADJ.A DAT M SG precious to the highly valued one precious
← G5092 Greek Lexicon G5094 →