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ἀγορά

agorá

G58 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A public square or open space in a city, primarily serving as the regular site for assembling, public discourse, commercial activity (buying and selling), or civic affairs. In most contexts, denotes the central meeting place where markets are held and social, political, or legal interactions occur; in some instances may refer more broadly to any public open space used for gatherings or civic business.

Semantic Range

public square, marketplace, place of assembly, civic center, site of public discourse, commercial venue, social gathering spot

Root / Etymology

From Greek ἀγείρω (ageirō, 'to gather'), indicating a place of gathering or assembly. Cognate with ἐγείρω (egeirō, 'to raise, awaken'), but the primary link is with the sense of gathering.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀγορά was the principal open area in a city or town (notably Athens), used for assemblies, commerce, legal proceedings, and political discourse—the functional, civic, and economic center of daily life. In Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term retained its meaning as a place for social and commercial gathering, with specific contours depending on local governance and urban design. In the Septuagint, it may be used to translate Hebrew terms such as רְחֹב (rechov, meaning 'broad space' or 'square'), denoting an open area in a town where people congregate. In the New Testament, references to ἀγορά (e.g., Matthew 20:3; Mark 7:4) reflect its ongoing role as a marketplace and social hub—where day laborers are hired, goods are sold, and public life is enacted. Occasionally, the location serves as the setting for teaching, legal statements, or social interactions. English translations as 'marketplace' or 'market' often convey the principal sense but may understate its broader societal role as the heart of civic life. The term does not inherently refer to streets, though adjacent thoroughfares lead to or are related to the ἀγορά. Distinct from ἐμπορίον (emporion, 'emporium, trading center'), which focuses explicitly on commerce. While 'market' is the dominant translation in English Bibles, the historical referent encompasses assembly, political, judicial, and economic functions.

Translation Consistency

primary "marketplace" 11 occurrences

‘Marketplace’ best captures the common range of ἀγορά as a public square used for buying/selling and for assemblies or civic activity. It is natural English, widely used in Bible translations for agora, and covers both commercial and public-assembly senses better than the shorter ‘market’ or the more specific ‘square.’

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to gather; probably akin to ἐγείρω); properly, the town-square (as a place of public resort); by implication, a market or thoroughfare:--market(-place), street.

Root Family

ἀγορά (agora) — gathering place, public assembly space, marketplace, civic square

Root ἀγορ- to gather, to assemble

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G58-02 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces 6
G58-01 ἀγορᾷ agora N DAT F SG marketplace to the public assembly square to the marketplace 3
G58-04 ἀγορᾶς agoras N GEN F SG market of the public square the marketplace 1
G58-03 ἀγορὰν agoran N ACC F SG marketplace public assembly square marketplace 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G58-02 Matthew 11:16 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-01 Matthew 20:3 ἀγορᾷ agora N DAT F SG marketplace to the public assembly square marketplace
G58-02 Matthew 23:7 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-02 Mark 6:56 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-04 Mark 7:4 ἀγορᾶς agoras N GEN F SG market of the public square the marketplace
G58-02 Mark 12:38 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-01 Luke 7:32 ἀγορᾷ agora N DAT F SG marketplace to the public assembly square to the marketplace
G58-02 Luke 11:43 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-02 Luke 20:46 ἀγοραῖς agorais N DAT F PL marketplaces in public squares in marketplaces
G58-03 Acts 16:19 ἀγορὰν agoran N ACC F SG marketplace public assembly square marketplace
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