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τόπος

tópos

G5117 noun

SILEX Entry

Root τόπ- to place, to assign, to locate

Definition

Physical or figurative place; a particular position or space, either defined or indefinite. In the physical sense, it signifies an area, site, locality, or region, which may range from a specific point to a general area. In extended or figurative usage, it refers to a sphere, circumstance, opportunity, or condition. It may also denote a role or position assigned to a person or item, and in specific contexts, it appears as a technical term (e.g. for a scabbard/case).

Semantic Range

place, location, position, area, region, space, assigned seat or rank, role, opportunity, condition, circumstance, argument topic, technical case or container (e.g. scabbard)

Root / Etymology

Root is τόπ-, which forms the basis for several Greek words related to place (e.g. τοπικός 'local'). Likely of Pre-Greek origin; not directly related to Indo-European roots for 'place'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τόπος primarily denoted a place or space, from a geographical site (as in Herodotus or Thucydides) to an assigned seat or rank (such as in dramatic competitions or military settings). The sense broadens in Hellenistic Greek and especially in Koine, where τόπος can refer to abstract or figurative 'place'—for instance, 'room' (as in John 14:2, 'many rooms/places') or 'opportunity.' In rhetorical terminology, τόποι are 'commonplaces' or argumentative topics. In some New Testament and LXX passages it signifies specific sites (Luke 2:7, 'no place in the inn') or broader tracts (Matt 14:13, 'deserted place'). The English translation 'place' covers most uses but sometimes obscures extended or technical senses. Χώρα (G5561) covers wider regions or rural hinterland, while τόπος usually implies a bounded spot or designated locality. In the NT, figurative senses include 'condition' (Eph 4:27, 'give place to the devil' = 'give opportunity'). The use as a technical term (e.g. for a scabbard in John 19:41) is contextually determined and relatively rare.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas χώρα is a large but participle locality), i.e. location (as a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard:--coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.

Root Family

τόπος (topos) — place, location, position, assigned role, space

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5117-03 τόπων topon N GEN M PL place of places 49
G5117-04 τόπος topos N NOM M SG place place 16
G5117-01 τόπῳ topo N DAT M SG place in a place 15
G5117-05 τόπου topou N GEN M SG place of a place 7
G5117-06 τόπους topous N ACC M PL places places 5
G5117-02 τόποις topois N DAT M PL places in places 2

Occurrences in Scripture

94 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5117-03 Matthew 12:43 τόπων topon N GEN M PL of places
G5117-03 Matthew 14:13 τόπον topon N ACC M SG of places
G5117-04 Matthew 14:15 τόπος topos N NOM M SG place
G5117-05 Matthew 14:35 τόπου topou N GEN M SG of a place
G5117-06 Matthew 24:7 τόπους topous N ACC M PL places
G5117-01 Matthew 24:15 τόπῳ topo N DAT M SG in a place
G5117-03 Matthew 26:52 τόπον topon N ACC M SG of places
G5117-03 Matthew 27:33 τόπον topon N ACC M SG of places
G5117-04 Matthew 27:33 Τόπος topos N NOM M SG place
G5117-03 Matthew 28:6 τόπον topon N ACC M SG of places
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