SILEX Revision Notes
Strong's Concordance was first published in 1890. While it remains an invaluable reference, advances in linguistics, archaeology, and textual studies over the past 130 years have revealed areas where its glosses can be improved. These revision notes document where the Scattered Israelites Lexicon (SILEX) corrects or clarifies Strong's entries based on modern Biblical scholarship.
Α G1 (A)
The revised gloss corrects Strong's assertion that the privative alpha is a contraction from ἄνευ and the copulative alpha from ἅμα, noting instead that these derivations are uncertain and debated. Strong's gloss presents these etymologies as established, whereas the revised gloss highlights scholarly uncertainty about the exact origins.
ἁδρότης G100 (hadrótēs)
The SIBI gloss narrows the definition by specifying that ἁδρότης primarily means fullness, richness, or abundance, and that 'liberality' is not the core sense but rather a figurative or context-dependent extension. The original Strong's gloss presents 'liberality' as a defining aspect, which the updated gloss corrects.
βόσκω G1006 (bóskō)
The original gloss confidently asserts a link to a primary verb and βοῦς, while the revised gloss notes the etymology is uncertain and the connection to βοῦς is doubtful. This corrects the etymological information given in the original.
Βοσόρ G1007 (Bosór)
The revised gloss corrects the original's assertion that 'Bosor' is simply of Hebrew origin from בְּעוֹר (Beor). It notes that the relationship is uncertain and may be due to textual or transliteration variations, rather than a straightforward derivation. This correction addresses possible oversimplification or inaccuracy in the original etymological claim.
βουλευτής G1010 (bouleutḗs)
The revised gloss corrects the original by clarifying that βουλευτής refers broadly to a council member or adviser in any governing assembly, not exclusively or specifically tied to the Jewish Sanhedrin. The original incorrectly limits the definition to members of the Sanhedrin, reflecting a narrower scope than the term's actual usage.
βουλεύω G1011 (bouleúō)
The SIBI gloss corrects the Strong's gloss by clarifying that βουλεύω does not inherently mean to 'advise' others, but primarily denotes planning, deliberating, or deciding, often individually. The original gloss misleadingly foregrounds 'advise' and external consultation, whereas the revised gloss centers the sense on internal decision-making and planning.
βουλή G1012 (boulḗ)
The revised gloss narrows and clarifies the meaning of βουλή, emphasizing deliberate, thoughtful intention or plan, whereas the original gloss conflates more general ideas of will, advice, and purpose. The revised gloss also distinguishes βουλή from θέλημα, highlighting nuance lost in the original.
βούλομαι G1014 (boúlomai)
The SIBI gloss corrects Strong's by stating that the root of βούλομαι is uncertain and likely of pre-Greek origin, and that it is not derived directly from a primary verb. Strong's presents it as the middle voice of a primary verb and suggests comparison with θέλω; SIBI highlights that βούλομαι and θέλω are distinct in nuance and origin.
βουνός G1015 (bounós)
The revised gloss clarifies that the etymology is uncertain and possibly from a pre-Greek substrate, whereas the original asserts it is 'probably of foreign origin.' The revised gloss nuances the derivation and corrects the implied certainty in the original's etymology.
βοῦς G1016 (boûs)
The original gloss claims 'probably from the base of βόσκω (to graze)',' while the revised gloss states that this derivation is not definitively established and emphasizes its broader Indo-European roots. The revised gloss corrects the original's assertion of probable Greek derivation, making clear the uncertainty.
βραβεῖον G1017 (brabeîon)
The revised gloss corrects the original by clarifying that 'brabeion' primarily refers to a prize or reward for victory in a contest, especially athletic, rather than an award of arbitration. The original's use of 'arbitration' is not supported as a primary sense in scriptural or Hellenistic usage, making the revised definition more accurate.
βραβεύω G1018 (brabeúō)
The SIBI gloss corrects Strong's definition by clarifying that βραβεύω means to arbitrate or umpire, not to govern or rule in the sense of political authority. Strong's inclusion of 'govern' and 'rule' misrepresents the core semantic range of the verb, which relates to acting as an arbitrator or judge, particularly in contests or disputes, rather than exercising ruling authority.
βραδύτης G1022 (bradýtēs)
The original gloss translates βραδύτης as 'tardiness' or 'slackness,' implying a negative or pejorative sense. The revised gloss clarifies that βραδύτης is a neutral term simply meaning 'slowness' or 'the quality of being slow,' without inherent negative connotation, and that its value is context-dependent.
βραχίων G1023 (brachíōn)
The revised gloss clarifies uncertainty in the etymological connection to 'short' (βραχύς) and notes the derivational pathway as uncertain, whereas the original asserts a comparative sense tied directly to 'to wield' without such caveats. The revised corrects the etymological assertion.
βρύω G1032 (brýō)
The SIBI gloss corrects the etymology by noting that the root is uncertain and possibly pre-Greek, contrary to Strong's implication of a primary Greek verb. It also narrows the definition, clarifying that the term refers to natural, abundant growth rather than simply 'gushing' or 'sending forth,' and removes the translation tradition evident in Strong's KJV-influenced gloss.
βρῶμα G1033 (brōma)
The revised gloss corrects the original's implication that the term 'βρῶμα' especially refers to food allowed or forbidden by Jewish law, and clarifies that it is not limited to 'meat' but covers all types of food. The original's definition is overly narrow, influenced by translation tradition and theological context, whereas the revised gloss restores the broader, general meaning of 'food.'
βρώσιμος G1034 (brṓsimos)
The revised gloss corrects the original use of 'meat' by clarifying that βρώσιμος refers to anything edible, not just 'meat.' The original gloss reflects an overly narrow interpretation likely influenced by translation tradition.
ἀεί G104 (aeí)
The original claims the term derives from an obsolete primary noun with an apparent meaning ('continued duration'), while the revised gloss states the exact root is uncertain and cautions against a definite etymological link. This corrects Strong's presumption about the word's origin.
βωμός G1041 (bōmós)
The revised gloss clarifies that βωμός refers to an altar typically associated with non-Israelite/Greco-Roman religious contexts, distinguishing it from terms for Israelite altars. This corrects the original, which lacks this important nuance.
γαββαθά G1042 (gabbathá)
The original gloss suggests that 'Gabbatha' itself refers to the tribunal (institution/location), while the revised gloss corrects this by clarifying that 'Gabbatha' strictly describes a raised place or platform, without inherent judicial or institutional meaning. The revised gloss narrows the definition to focus on the geography/topography and not the function.
Γαβριήλ G1043 (Gabriḗl)
The original gloss defines Gabriel specifically as an 'archangel,' implying a rank or specific status, whereas the revised gloss notes that 'the term itself carries no inherent reference to specific duties or rank among messengers/angels.' This corrects a theological/traditional interpretation not present in the lexical meaning of the name.
Γάδ G1045 (Gád)
The revised gloss corrects the original's unstated implication that the etymology of 'Gad' (as 'fortune' or 'luck') is certain, by noting that the meaning is debated and uncertain.
ἀετός G105 (aetós)
The revised gloss corrects the original by noting that while the word may be related to ἀήρ (air), its exact derivation is uncertain, whereas the original asserts a direct derivation from ἀήρ. This is an etymological clarification.
Γάϊος G1050 (Gáïos)
The original gloss defines Gaius specifically as a 'Christian,' which is not inherent to the name itself. The revised gloss corrects this by stating it is simply a common Roman personal name, not inherently tied to any cultural or religious background. Thus, the original gloss imposes a contextual meaning not present in the word's lexical definition.
γάλα G1051 (gála)
The revised gloss specifies that figurative use of 'milk' refers to basic or elementary instruction, correcting the original's vague 'figuratively' by clarifying the nature of the metaphor.
Γαλάτης G1052 (Galátēs)
The revised gloss clarifies that the term 'Galatian' does not specify ethnicity and may refer to both Celtic-descended and Hellenized inhabitants, whereas the original gloss simply defines it as 'a Galatian or inhabitant of Galatia.' The update corrects the possible misunderstanding that 'Galatian' denotes exclusively one ethnic group, broadening the definition to include the region's mixed population.
Γαλιλαία G1056 (Galilaía)
The SIBI gloss corrects the original's 'heathen circle' interpretation, clarifying that the name 'Galilee' means 'district' or 'region' and does not intrinsically refer to Gentiles or non-Jews. The original gloss introduces a misinterpretation based on later perceptions, not on the lexical meaning.
ἄζυμος G106 (ázymos)
The revised gloss corrects Strong's by clarifying that the primary meaning is the literal 'unleavened (bread)', and that the figurative use 'uncorrupted' is rare and later, not primary. Strong's presents the figurative use as equally valid, which overstates its semantic range in Koine Greek.
γάρ G1063 (gár)
The original gloss gives a wide range of possible renderings, including some ('and', 'but', 'even', 'then', 'therefore', 'what', 'why', 'yet') that are not standard modern equivalents and reflect translation tradition rather than lexical meaning. The revised gloss narrows γάρ to its core sense as a causal or explanatory conjunction ('for', 'because', 'since'), correcting the over-broad and potentially misleading list in the original.
γαστήρ G1064 (gastḗr)
The revised gloss clarifies that 'gourmand' as a figurative extension is secondary and uncommon, and clarifies that the term does not always imply 'belly' in the modern, informal sense (such as 'appetite' or 'desire'), which the original implies more broadly. It also sharpens the anatomical distinction between stomach and womb, making the sense context-dependent.
γέ G1065 (gé)
The revised gloss corrects the definition by focusing on the particle's function to intensify or limit statements, indicating it is not always directly translatable and often conveys nuances like 'indeed', contrasting with Strong's gloss which foregrounds English equivalents such as 'and besides', 'doubtless', and 'yet'. The revised gloss shifts away from fixed translations toward functional/contextual usage.
γέεννα G1067 (géenna)
The original gloss adopts a traditional theological meaning ('hell' as a place of everlasting punishment), whereas the revised gloss clarifies that the term originally refers to a geographical location and that its metaphorical use for final judgment developed later. The revised gloss warns that 'hell' is not a direct lexical equivalent, correcting a theological bias in the original gloss.
γείτων G1069 (geítōn)
The revised gloss clarifies that the term refers specifically to someone dwelling nearby, emphasizing physical proximity, and explicitly rejects the broader implication of 'friend' given by the original gloss.
γέμω G1073 (gémō)
The original gloss suggests 'to swell out,' which could imply overflowing beyond capacity or bulging, while the revised gloss clarifies that the verb means to be full or filled to capacity, not necessarily to swell or overflow. The revised gloss corrects the nuance of meaning and narrows it to fullness rather than swelling.
γενεά G1074 (geneá)
The revised gloss clarifies that γενεά refers to a group tied by family, era, or cohort and corrects the implication in the original that it means 'nation' (political entity), which the revised gloss explicitly denies. It also cautions against strictly limiting the term to a specific chronological span, broadening the definition compared to the more fixed sense implied by the original.
γενεαλογία G1076 (genealogía)
The revised gloss corrects the etymology given in Strong's, which traces the word from a different form (γενεαλογέω), whereas the revised gloss breaks it down into its more accurate derivation from γενεά and λόγος. This is a correction of the root derivation.
γένεσις G1078 (génesis)
The revised gloss corrects the original by restricting the sense of γένεσις to 'origin, birth, or genealogy' and notes that the abstract sense 'nature' is rare, whereas the original gives 'nature' as a core meaning. The revised gloss also clarifies the typical use relating to ancestry and origins, not abstract qualities.
γεννάω G1080 (gennáō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the primary meaning concerns a parent's act of generating a child (either father or mother), emphasizing natural procreation or birth, while the original gloss includes a specific and perhaps theologically-influenced sense ('regenerate') and a lengthy list of translation terms that sometimes suggest birth (passive) and sometimes conception (active) more broadly. The revised gloss limits the spiritual/metaphorical application to broader 'causing to come into being,' not specifically 'regeneration,' clarifying and correcting the definition.
Γεργεσηνός G1086 (Gergesēnós)
The SIBI gloss corrects Strong's claim of direct Hebrew origin and equivalence with the Girgashite people, clarifying that the etymological connection to גִּרְגָּשִׁי (Girgashite) is uncertain and likely incorrect; it instead identifies the term as derived from the place name Gergesa.
γερουσία G1087 (gerousía)
The original gloss equates 'gerousia' with the 'Jewish Sanhedrin' and uses the translation 'senate,' both of which are anachronistic. The revised gloss clarifies that 'gerousia' refers more generally to a council of elders and is not strictly equivalent to the Jewish Sanhedrin or a modern legislative 'senate.'
γεώργιον G1091 (geṓrgion)
The original gloss equates 'γεώργιον' with 'husbandry,' which refers to the act or art of farming, while the revised gloss clarifies that the word denotes land used for agriculture (farmland), not the activity ('husbandry') itself. Thus, the revised gloss corrects the definition by specifying that the term refers to the physical field, not the concept or practice of farming.
γεωργός G1092 (geōrgós)
The original gloss uses the term 'husbandman,' which is now considered outdated and potentially narrower than the Greek. The revised gloss notes this and prefers 'farmer' or 'landworker' as more accurate to the original context and modern usage.
γῆ G1093 (gē)
The revised gloss corrects the original's implication that γῆ inherently refers to the whole globe (the terrestrial globe or world), clarifying that the term does not carry the modern scientific concept of 'the entire globe.' It also specifies usage does not include the inhabited world in the technical sense unless determined by context.
γῆρας G1094 (gēras)
The original gloss equates γῆρας primarily with 'senility,' implying frailty or mental decline. The revised gloss clarifies that γῆρας refers neutrally to old age, without implying senility or infirmity. This corrects a misleading narrowing in the original gloss.
γίνομαι G1096 (gínomai)
The SIBI gloss narrows and corrects the definition, clarifying that γίνομαι refers specifically to becoming, happening, or the initiation of an event or state—an active process of change—rather than simply 'to be'. The original Strong's gloss lists meanings such as 'be' and numerous KJV-derived renderings that do not match the Greek usage, blurring the distinction between existence (to be) and becoming (to become, to happen).
γινώσκω G1097 (ginṓskō)
The revised gloss corrects the original's broad and sometimes ambiguous English translations (e.g., 'can speak', 'be resolved'), narrowing the definition to focus on knowledge through experience, acquaintance, or recognition. The revised gloss also clarifies the sense of experiential vs. inherent knowledge, correcting the implication that the term covers all possible nuances listed in the original. Overly broad meanings and secondary ideas not strictly lexical are omitted in the revision.
γλεῦκος G1098 (gleûkos)
The revised gloss corrects the original's claim that γλεῦκος refers to a highly inebriating, saccharine fermented wine. The updated definition clarifies that it generally denotes fresh grape juice or only partially fermented wine, often non-alcoholic, and that alcoholic content is not always implied. This corrects a misunderstanding in the original definition about its intoxicating quality.
γλωσσόκομον G1101 (glōssókomon)
The revised gloss disputes the original's etymology, specifically rejecting the connection to κόσμος and the idea of the container originally being for musical instrument mouthpieces. It notes modern scholarship finds these derivations doubtful and connects the word more plausibly to a general container for valuables.
γναφεύς G1102 (gnapheús)
The original asserts a derivation from a specific verb meaning 'to tease cloth,' while the revised gloss states the etymology is uncertain and only likely related to an earlier verb. This challenges the specificity of the original root claim.
γνησίως G1104 (gnēsíōs)
The original gloss includes 'naturally' as a meaning, which reflects an interpretive extension likely influenced by translation tradition rather than lexical meaning. The revised gloss narrows the sense to 'genuinely,' 'authentically,' or 'sincerely,' focusing on sincerity and authenticity rather than 'naturally' in the sense of nature or birth.