βοήθεια
boḗtheia
G996 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Assistance, help; any means or act of aiding, particularly in a time of need or danger. In nautical contexts, refers to a device or apparatus—such as ropes or cables—used to support or reinforce a ship (especially to fasten or bind together, as frapping cables during a storm). Additionally, in a general sense, denotes relief or support provided to someone in distress.
Semantic Range
help, assistance, relief, support in distress, nautical cables/ropes for securing a ship, means of support
Root / Etymology
From βοηθός (helper, aider), derived from the Greek verb βοηθέω (to help, to come to aid), itself formed from βοή (a cry, shout) and θέω (to run), thus originally 'one who runs to a cry (for help)'. βoήθεια is the noun form meaning 'help' or 'assistance'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used broadly in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek to indicate aid, assistance, or help—both practical and metaphorical. In Acts 27:17, it takes on a specific technical meaning in a nautical context, referring to the ropes (frapping cables) used to undergird a ship’s hull during heavy weather. In LXX and other literature, often denotes general assistance, support in battle, or divine help. English translations often render it as 'help' or 'assistance', but the technical nautical sense is context-dependent and not always evident in general translations. The nuance of practical, physical support (such as frapping cables) is a specialized usage within broader meaning of aid or assistance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from βοηθός; aid; specially, a rope or chain for frapping a vessel:--help.
Root Family
βοήθεια (boētheia) — help, assistance, relief, support in distress
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G996-02 |
βοήθειαν | boetheian | N ACC F SG |
help | assistance | assistance | 1 |
G996-01 |
βοηθείαις | boetheiais | N DAT F PL |
ropes | to aids | with aids | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G996-01 |
Acts 27:17 | βοηθείαις | boetheiais | N DAT F PL |
ropes | to aids | with aids |
G996-02 |
Hebrews 4:16 | βοήθειαν | boetheian | N ACC F SG |
help | assistance | assistance |