← G832 G834 →

αὐλή

aulḗ

G833 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An open courtyard, enclosed space, or yard, typically surrounded by a building, wall, or fence; can refer to a court or precinct of a private residence, palace, or public building; in agricultural contexts, a walled enclosure for animals such as a sheepfold. Secondary sense: by metonymy, the residence, palace, or hall associated with such a courtyard.

Semantic Range

enclosed courtyard, open yard or court, sheepfold or animal enclosure, palace or hall (by extension or metonymy), precinct of a building or temple

Root / Etymology

From the same root as ἀήρ (air), suggesting an open, airy space. The root refers to openness or exposure to air, but the exact derivation of αὐλή as 'courtyard' is not fully certain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αὐλή most often referred to the central open courtyard of a residence, around which rooms were arranged; this usage continues in Hellenistic and Koine periods. In the Septuagint, αὐλή commonly translates Hebrew חָצֵר (ḥāṣēr), denoting the court of the tabernacle or temple precincts, or a household courtyard. In New Testament contexts, it can refer to a courtyard of a priestly residence (e.g., the high priest's court in the Passion narratives) or a palace enclosure. Also refers to a sheepfold (esp. John 10:1, 16) — an enclosed space for livestock, typically bounded by a wall or fence. Standard English translations occasionally render αὐλή as 'hall' or 'palace,' but these often reflect the context of a grand or official residence; in most cases, the primary sense is the open court or enclosed yard. The meaning may overlap with oikos (house) when the court is metonymically used for the whole residence, but oikos refers to the building complex, while αὐλή highlights the open or enclosed exterior area. Later translations occasionally render 'palace,' but this is contextual rather than lexical; it should not be assumed as a primary meaning.

Translation Consistency

primary "courtyard" 12 occurrences

'Courtyard' is the most frequent and natural English rendering for αὐλή in this semantic range. It captures the central sense of an open, enclosed yard or court (including private residence or palace precincts) while naturally extending to animal enclosures (sheepfold) and metonymic uses (the hall or residence associated with the courtyard). It reads naturally in translation and maintains consistency across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as ἀήρ; a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion:--court, (sheep-)fold, hall, palace.

Root Family

αὐλή (aulē) — open court, yard, enclosure

Root αὐλ- open court, yard, enclosure

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G833-02 αὐλὴν aulen N ACC F SG courtyard an enclosed courtyard an enclosed courtyard 6
G833-03 αὐλῆς aules N GEN F SG courtyard of the courtyard courtyard 4
G833-01 αὐλῇ aule N DAT F SG courtyard in a courtyard courtyard 2

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G833-02 Matthew 26:3 αὐλὴν aulen N ACC F SG court an enclosed courtyard an enclosed courtyard
G833-03 Matthew 26:58 αὐλῆς aules N GEN F SG courtyard of the courtyard courtyard
G833-01 Matthew 26:69 αὐλῇ aule N DAT F SG courtyard in a courtyard courtyard
G833-02 Mark 14:54 αὐλὴν aulen N ACC F SG courtyard an enclosed courtyard an enclosed courtyard
G833-01 Mark 14:66 αὐλῇ aule N DAT F SG courtyard in a courtyard courtyard
G833-03 Mark 15:16 αὐλῆς aules N GEN F SG courtyard of the courtyard courtyard
G833-02 Luke 11:21 αὐλήν aulen N ACC F SG courtyard an enclosed courtyard an enclosed courtyard
G833-03 Luke 22:55 αὐλῆς aules N GEN F SG of the courtyard of the courtyard courtyard
G833-02 John 10:1 αὐλὴν aulen N ACC F SG fold an enclosed courtyard an enclosed courtyard
G833-03 John 10:16 αὐλῆς aules N GEN F SG fold of the courtyard of the courtyard
← G832 Greek Lexicon G834 →