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φωλεός

phōleós

G5454 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A den, burrow, or lair—the place where animals (especially wild animals such as foxes or birds) live or take shelter; by extension, a concealed or protected dwelling place for animals. In broader usage, it may denote any secluded or secure retreat for resting or habitation, particularly in reference to animal life.

Semantic Range

animal den, burrow, lair, animal retreat, concealed shelter, animal dwelling, hiding place

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Possibly related to φῶλος (fōlos, 'soft earth', 'loose soil'), indicating a natural cavity in the ground, though direct derivation is not demonstrated in extant Greek evidence. There is no clear cognate in Classical Greek, and its formation is peculiar to Koine and Hellenistic usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested rarely outside the New Testament, φωλεός appears primarily in Koine Greek, notably in the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:58). The term describes shelters made by wild animals, such as foxes—emphasizing their natural provision and security in contrast to the human experience of homelessness. While sometimes translated 'hole' or 'den', the Greek word carries a broader sense of any natural or excavated animal dwelling, not limited strictly to burrows but also applicable to other animal lairs or nests (though different terms, e.g., νοσσιόν for 'nest', are usually used for birds' dwellings). No evidence suggests an association with human habitation or metaphorical use in Classical sources. In later and patristic Greek, it retains the sense of animal shelter, not developing a wider figurative meaning. English translations such as 'hole' or 'den' are generally accurate, though 'burrow' may be overly narrow in scope. φωλεός stands apart from more general or varied dwelling terms such as οἶκος ('house') or καταγώγιον ('inn, lodging-place'), as it is specialized for the animal world and specifically implies a naturally formed or personally excavated retreat.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivative; a burrow or lurking-place:--hole.

Root Family

φωλεός (phōleos) — animal den, burrow, lair, concealed shelter, animal dwelling

Root φωλε- to burrow, to conceal, to dwell (of animals)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5454-01 φωλεοὺς pholeous N ACC M PL holes animal dens animal dens 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5454-01 Matthew 8:20 φωλεοὺς pholeous N ACC M PL holes animal dens dens
G5454-01 Luke 9:58 φωλεοὺς pholeous N ACC M PL holes animal dens animal dens
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