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γλῶσσα

glōssa

G1100 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The tongue, the muscular organ in the mouth; by extension, speech or language, often referring to a distinct language or dialect spoken by a group. In some contexts, 'tongue' may also mean utterance or mode of speaking, with specialized usage for unintelligible or ecstatic speech.

Semantic Range

the tongue (physical organ); language; dialect; manner of speaking; utterance; ecstatic or inspired speech

Root / Etymology

The noun γλῶσσα appears to be of pre-Greek or non-Indo-European origin; its etymology is uncertain. It is not derived from an identifiable Greek verbal or nominal root, though it may be related to other ancient Mediterranean languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γλῶσσα primarily denotes the physical tongue, the organ of speech and taste, but also comes to mean 'language' or 'dialect' as a metonym for spoken language. In Hellenistic and Koine usage (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the sense of 'language' becomes prominent, used for distinct languages and dialects (e.g., ἑλληνικὴ γλῶσσα, 'Greek language'). In the New Testament, particularly Pauline writings, γλῶσσα can denote ecstatic or unlearned speech, sometimes described as 'speaking in tongues' (see 1 Corinthians 12–14), a term carried into English translation but whose sense in Greek may be closer to unintelligible or inspired utterance. Greek typically uses διάλεκτος to refer more specifically to a 'dialect.' The standard English translations mostly cover 'tongue' (literal sense) and 'language,' but sometimes obscure the distinction between unlearned/inspired utterance and established languages.

Translation Consistency

primary "tongue" 50 occurrences

“Tongue” covers the primary senses in the SILEX range: the physical organ, a language or dialect, and an utterance/manner of speaking (including ecstatic speech). It matches the majority of existing renderings (’tongue/tongues’) and reads naturally across contexts where glōssa appears.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired):--tongue.

Root Family

γλῶσσα (glōssa) — tongue (organ), language, speech

Root γλωσσ- tongue (organ), language, speech

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1100-03 γλώσσαις glossais N DAT F PL tongues to/for tongues to/for tongues 15
G1100-01 γλῶσσα glossa N NOM F SG tongue tongue tongue 7
G1100-04 γλῶσσάν glossan N ACC F SG tongue a tongue a tongue 7
G1100-06 γλώσσῃ glosse N DAT F SG in a tongue in a tongue in a tongue 7
G1100-08 γλωσσῶν glosson N GEN F PL of tongues of tongues of tongues 5
G1100-07 γλώσσης glosses N GEN F SG tongue of tongue of tongue 4
G1100-02 γλῶσσαι glossai N NOM F PL tongues tongues tongues 4
G1100-05 γλώσσας glossas N ACC F PL tongues tongues tongues 1

Occurrences in Scripture

50 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1100-07 Mark 7:33 γλώσσης glosses N GEN F SG tongue of tongue of tongue
G1100-07 Mark 7:35 γλώσσης glosses N GEN F SG tongue of tongue of tongue
G1100-03 Mark 16:17 γλώσσαις glossais N DAT F PL tongues to/for tongues to/for tongues
G1100-01 Luke 1:64 γλῶσσα glossa N NOM F SG tongue tongue tongue
G1100-04 Luke 16:24 γλῶσσάν glossan N ACC F SG tongue a tongue a tongue
G1100-02 Acts 2:3 γλῶσσαι glossai N NOM F PL tongues tongues tongues
G1100-03 Acts 2:4 γλώσσαις glossais N DAT F PL tongues to/for tongues to/for tongues
G1100-03 Acts 2:11 γλώσσαις glossais N DAT F PL tongues to/for tongues tongues
G1100-01 Acts 2:26 γλῶσσά glossa N NOM F SG tongue tongue tongue
G1100-03 Acts 10:46 γλώσσαις glossais N DAT F PL with tongues to/for tongues to/for tongues
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