ἑταῖρος
hetairos
friend
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἑταῖρος (hetairos) is defined as "friend." It appears three times in the Bible, indicating a relatively limited but specific usage. As a term for friendship, ἑταῖρος suggests a close and intimate relationship, likely one that is based on mutual trust, loyalty, and shared experiences. The limited occurrences of ἑταῖρος in the Bible suggest that it may be used to convey a sense of depth and closeness in relationships, rather than a general or casual friendship. This could imply that the author(s) of the biblical text are emphasizing the importance of strong, meaningful relationships in various contexts. Despite its limited range of usage, ἑταῖρος carries significant meaning in the biblical text, highlighting the value placed on close friendships and relationships in ancient Greek culture and beyond.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences across the text
“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
Matthew 22:12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
Matthew 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.