λεγεών
legeōn
Legion
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe word λεγεών, Strong's number G3003, is a Greek lemma that translates to "legion" in English. This term refers to a large military unit, specifically a division of the Roman army consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers. In the biblical context, the occurrences of this word reveal its range of usage in describing a powerful and intimidating force. The word λεγεών appears in four verses of the Bible. In each instance, it highlights the formidable presence and authority of the military entity associated with it. This usage underscores the significance of λεγεών in conveying an image of sheer numbers and might. The limited occurrences of λεγεών suggest that its usage was likely limited to specific contexts where a robust and intimidating military presence was necessary for emphasis or to convey a particular message. Its rarity adds to its rhetorical impact, making it a vivid and evocative term in the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mark 5:9He asked him, “What is your name?” He said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
Mark 5:15They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.
Luke 8:30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.