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δόγμα

dógma

G1378 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An authoritative decision, decree, or formal regulation established by a person or body in power. In its primary sense, δόγμα denotes a formal pronouncement or rule issued by an authority—often civil or governing, but potentially also religious or communal. The term may also extend to established regulations, precepts, or standards determined by a group or institution. In later contexts, the sense can broaden to include binding ordinances or dogmatic statements as recognized in institutional or communal practice.

Semantic Range

decree, official ordinance, authoritative regulation, formal pronouncement, rule, binding instruction, philosophical tenet

Root / Etymology

From the root δοκ- (related to δοκέω, 'to think, to seem, to suppose'), with the nominal suffix -μα indicating result or product; δόγμα thus originally means 'that which seems (right)' or 'that which is decreed.' The word is not derived from a specific Hebrew term but is used in the Septuagint to translate various Hebrew expressions for decrees or ordinances.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δόγμα commonly referred to an official decision or decree issued by civil or local councils (e.g., city-state assemblies or rulers), as well as general opinions or philosophical principles held by particular schools. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods—including the Septuagint—the term most frequently denotes official regulations, royal decrees, or edicts (e.g., decrees of rulers or administrative authorities). In the New Testament, δόγμα refers to imperial edicts (e.g., Luke 2:1, the decree of Caesar Augustus), as well as regulations or legal requirements governing communal or religious life (e.g., Acts 16:4—apostolic decisions; Colossians 2:14—regulations or record of debts). English translations often render δόγμα as 'decree,' 'ordinance,' or 'regulation,' but may narrow the sense to legal or religious contexts. The term later develops technical senses in philosophy (a tenet or doctrine) and in Christian theological usage ('dogma'), but these are post-biblical extensions. Contrast with νόμος (law), which typically refers to a body of law or Torah rather than a specific edict or regulation; δόγμα generally connotes an individual pronouncement or regulation rather than a comprehensive legal code.

Translation Consistency

primary "decree" 5 occurrences

δόγμα primarily denotes an authoritative pronouncement, regulation, or formal rule. "Decree" is the most natural, common English word that captures the sense of an official, binding pronouncement across civil, religious, and communal contexts. It avoids the stronger theological coloring of "dogma" and is broader and more natural than alternatives like "ordinance" or "rule." The attested English renderings in the data cluster around "decree," making it the best consistent choice.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of δοκέω; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical):--decree, ordinance.

Root Family

δόγμα (dogma) — to think, to suppose, to seem, to decree

Root δοκ- to think, to suppose, to seem, to decree

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1378-02 δόγμασιν dogmasin N DAT N PL obligations to the authoritative decrees to the authoritative decrees 2
G1378-01 δόγμα dogma N NOM N SG decree authoritative decree decree 1
G1378-03 δόγματα dogmata N ACC N PL decrees authoritative decrees authoritative decrees 1
G1378-04 δογμάτων dogmaton N GEN N PL decrees of decrees decrees 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1378-01 Luke 2:1 δόγμα dogma N NOM N SG decree authoritative decree decree
G1378-03 Acts 16:4 δόγματα dogmata N ACC N PL decrees authoritative decrees authoritative decrees
G1378-04 Acts 17:7 δογμάτων dogmaton N GEN N PL decrees of decrees decrees
G1378-02 Ephesians 2:15 δόγμασιν dogmasin N DAT N PL ordinances to the authoritative decrees to the authoritative decrees
G1378-02 Colossians 2:14 δόγμασιν dogmasin N DAT N PL obligations to the authoritative decrees to the authoritative decrees
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