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ἐρυθρός

erythrós

G2063 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Basic meaning: red; describes the color red, particularly as an adjective for natural objects or geographical features. In the New Testament and Septuagint, most notably refers to the 'Red Sea' (ἡ Ἐρυθρὰ Θάλασσα), a geographical term for the body of water parted in the Exodus narrative. Broader use in ancient Greek includes red as applied to objects, fluids, gemstones, or perceived hues in nature.

Semantic Range

red (color), red-colored, the Red Sea (as a geographical term in set phrase); red wine, red stone, reddish complexion or appearance

Root / Etymology

Greek root ἐρυθρ-; not transparently derived from other extant Greek words, and may be of pre-Greek or non-Indo-European origin. Cognate with classical Greek ἐρυθρός of the same meaning. Etymology uncertain beyond Indo-European attempts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀρυθρός is the standard Greek adjective for 'red,' and occurs commonly in classical literature (Homer, Herodotus, medical texts) for describing blood, complexion, or various natural red objects. In the Septuagint, ἐρυθρός is used primarily in the phrase ἡ Ἐρυθρὰ Θάλασσα ('the Red Sea'), corresponding to the body of water summed up with Hebrew יַם־סוּף (Yam Suf, 'Sea of Reeds'). The equation of Yam Suf with the 'Red Sea' is inherited from Greco-Roman geography and was a conventional rendering by the Hellenistic period. The use in the New Testament (Acts 7:36; Heb 11:29) is consistent with this geographic meaning. The English translation 'Red' in 'Red Sea' does not match the underlying Hebrew precisely, as the Hebrew term refers to reeds or rushes, not the color red. Beyond this set phrase, ἐρυθρός can be used in Koine and earlier Greek for red wine, red stones (like rubies), reddish hue of the sky, or physical appearance (such as someone's face or blood).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; red, i.e. (with θάλασσα) the Red Sea:--red.

Root Family

ἐρυθρός (erythros) — red, reddish in color

Root ἐρυθρ- red, reddish in color

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2063-01 Ἐρυθρᾷ eruthra ADJ.A DAT F SG Red to/for the red (feminine) Red 1
G2063-02 Ἐρυθρὰν eruthran ADJ.A ACC F SG Red red Red 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2063-01 Acts 7:36 Ἐρυθρᾷ eruthra ADJ.A DAT F SG Red to/for the red (feminine) Red
G2063-02 Hebrews 11:29 Ἐρυθρὰν eruthran ADJ.A ACC F SG Red red Red
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