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αἰσθητήριον

aisthētḗrion

G145 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Organ of perception; in physical sense, a bodily organ that perceives or discerns sensations (sense organ, such as an eye or ear). Figuratively, the faculty of perception, discernment, or judgment—the internal capacity by which one distinguishes between moral or practical options.

Semantic Range

sense organ, organ of perception, faculty of discernment, capacity for moral or practical judgment

Root / Etymology

From the verb αἰσθάνομαι (to perceive, to sense, to understand); derived from the noun αἴσθησις (perception, sensation), with the neuter suffix -ήριον indicating an instrument or organ related to perception.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αἰσθητήριον typically referred to a physical sense-organ (e.g., Aristotle, De Anima). By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the term is rare and appears mainly in philosophical or medical contexts, often referring to any organ responsible for perceiving external stimuli. In the New Testament (Hebrews 5:14), the term is used metaphorically to denote the 'faculties' (or powers) of discernment developed through moral training and experience; here, 'senses' as used in some English translations may obscure the figurative nuance of cultivated perception or judgment. The term is almost never used for abstract judgment in classical texts but acquires this extended figurative sense in later Greek, including Philo and the NT. Compared to related words: αἴσθησις generally means the capacity or process of perception, while ἀίσθητος means 'perceptible' (able to be perceived). Standard English renderings ('senses') do not always capture the metaphorical or philosophical significance in Hellenistic and NT contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of αἰσθάνομαι; properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:--senses.

Root Family

αἰσθητήριον (aisthētērion) — organ of perception, sense organ, faculty of discernment, capacity to perceive

Root αἰσθ- to perceive, to sense, to discern

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G145-01 αἰσθητήρια aistheteria N ACC N PL senses organs of perception organs of perception 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G145-01 Hebrews 5:14 αἰσθητήρια aistheteria N ACC N PL senses organs of perception organs of perception
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