χοῖρος
choîros
G5519 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A domesticated pig; refers in general to a pig or swine, particularly a non-ruminant animal considered ritually unclean in Israelite, Judean, and Greco-Roman contexts. Can denote an individual pig or pigs collectively, including animals raised for food (pork) or involved in cultic contexts.
Semantic Range
domesticated pig, swine, hog, piglet, (by extension) a symbol of uncleanness or Gentile practice, generic term for pigs whether singular or collective, occasionally wild pig
Root / Etymology
The etymology of χοῖρος is uncertain; it is possibly of non-Greek (pre-Greek or substrate) origin. Not clearly related to other Indo-European terms for swine.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, χοῖρος appears in early literature (e.g., Homer, Hesiod) denoting either a piglet or mature pig, and was used generically for both male and female animals. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term is the standard word for a hog or pig in popular, literary, and technical contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, χοῖρος is notable for its cultural and religious associations: pigs were considered unclean according to Israelite dietary law (cf. Leviticus 11:7, Deuteronomy 14:8), and the word often carries negative connotations in Judean contexts. This background frames New Testament usage (e.g., the herd of pigs in Mark 5:11–14 and parallels), where encounters with swine highlight Gentile presence or ritual impurity. The English translation 'swine' is traditional but may not always capture the distinct social and religious contexts of χοῖρος in ancient sources. In some Koine usage, the word could also encompass wild as well as domestic pigs, but the domesticated animal is typically in view.
Translation Consistency
“Pig” is the most natural, modern, and versatile English noun for χοῖρος. It covers singular and collective senses (pig/pigs), domestic and wild senses, and everyday usage (hog, swine) without sounding archaic. It best matches the typical SILEX range and will render naturally in all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; a hog:--swine.
Root Family
χοῖρος (choiros) — pig, swine, hog
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5519-02 |
χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
of swine | of pigs | of pigs | 6 |
G5519-03 |
χοίρους | choirous | N ACC M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs | 5 |
G5519-01 |
χοῖροι | choiroi | N NOM M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5519-02 |
Matthew 7:6 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-02 |
Matthew 8:30 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
of swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-02 |
Matthew 8:31 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-03 |
Matthew 8:32 | χοίρους | choirous | N ACC M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs |
G5519-02 |
Mark 5:11 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
of swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-03 |
Mark 5:12 | χοίρους | choirous | N ACC M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs |
G5519-03 |
Mark 5:13 | χοίρους | choirous | N ACC M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs |
G5519-02 |
Mark 5:16 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-02 |
Luke 8:32 | χοίρων | choiron | N GEN M PL |
of swine | of pigs | of pigs |
G5519-03 |
Luke 8:33 | χοίρους | choirous | N ACC M PL |
swine | pigs | pigs |