ἐντόπιος (G1786) — Greek Lexicon

ἐντόπιος

entópios

G1786 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A local resident; someone belonging to or originating from a particular place. More specifically, one who is native to a locality or whose home is within a certain area, as opposed to a foreigner or stranger. The term may also denote someone who possesses rights or status by virtue of their originating from the place in question.

Semantic Range

local resident, native, inhabitant of the place, one belonging to a locality, someone entitled to rights as a native

Root / Etymology

Formed from ἐν ('in') + τόπος ('place, location') + the adjectival suffix -ιος, indicating relation or belonging. Thus, ἐντόπιος literally means 'of (or belonging to) the place.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἐντόπιος appears rarely in extant Greek literature and is found in Koine Greek with the sense of 'local inhabitant' or 'native of a place,' typically used in contrast with inhabitants from elsewhere (ξένος, 'foreigner'). In the Septuagint (e.g., Leviticus 16:29), it is used to distinguish between those native to the land and sojourners or migrants (πάροικος). In the New Testament period and later Greek, ἐντόπιος retains this basic meaning of 'local' or 'native,' but the precise nuance depends on the context—sometimes it emphasizes rights, customs, or obligations that come with being a local. English translations usually render it as 'native' or 'inhabitant of that place,' but these may not convey all underlying connotations regarding legal or communal status. The term is not widely attested in classical Greek, where related words like αὐτόχθων ('indigenous, sprung from the land itself') or πολιτης ('citizen') may be found instead.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and τόπος; a resident:--of that place.

Root Family

ἐν-τοπ- (entópios) — to be in, place, location

Root ἐν-τοπ- to be in, place, location

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1786-01`	ἐντόπιοι	entopioi	`ADJ.S NOM M PL`	locals	native residents	native residents	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1786-01`	Acts 21:12	ἐντόπιοι	entopioi	`ADJ.S NOM M PL`	locals	native residents	native residents

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