φαντασία
phantasía
G5325 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Apparent display, appearance, or spectacle; the presentation of something as visible or impressive to the senses—whether actual or deceptive. In specific contexts, refers to outward show, pretentious display, or grandeur of appearance, often with the nuance of emptiness or lack of genuine substance (i.e., mere show, ostentation).
Semantic Range
appearance, visible display, spectacle, pomp, show, ostentatious display, illusion, pretentious parade, visible impression
Root / Etymology
From φαντάζω ('to make visible, to display, to appear'), related to φανάω/φαίνω ('to shine, to bring to light'). Root conveys idea of manifesting something to sight or sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, φαντασία refers to appearance, impression, or an image formed in the mind, especially visual perception or imagination (cf. Aristotle, where it is linked to perception and thought). In Hellenistic and Koine context, it can shift to mean a visible display or spectacle (as in a procession or parade), or a show of splendor or pomp (not always positive—can suggest empty ostentation, as in 'mere show'). In the LXX and New Testament, rare; tends to appear in post-classical sources describing outward grandeur, parades, or imperial displays. English translations such as 'pomp' or 'pageantry' may capture some nuance, but not the nuance of appearance versus genuine substance. Related to φαντασία is φαντασμα ('ghost, apparition') and φαντασίζω ('to make an impression, to make appear'). The English word 'fantasy' derives ultimately from the same root, but in Koine context φαντασία emphasizes visible or perceived display, not imaginary invention. The meaning can overlap with δόξα ('glory, splendor'), but often with less emphasis on honor and more on outward impressiveness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of φαντάζω; (properly abstract) a (vain) show ("fantasy"):--pomp.
Root Family
φαντ- (phantázō) — to make appear, to display, to become visible
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5324 | φαντάζω | the thing being made visible |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5325-01 |
φαντασίας | phantasias | N GEN F SG |
pomp | of ostentatious display | pomp | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5325-01 |
Acts 25:23 | φαντασίας | phantasias | N GEN F SG |
pomp | of ostentatious display | pomp |