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ζημία

zēmía

G2209 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Loss, especially in the sense of forfeiture, damage, or detriment experienced as the result of some event or action—often material loss, but by extension can refer to disadvantage, deprivation, or suffering incurred. Predominantly denotes loss or penalty from a human or legal standpoint, especially where something of value is forfeit or impaired.

Semantic Range

loss, damage, disadvantage, penalty, forfeiture, detriment, suffering incurred, legal fine or punishment

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root ζημ-; related to ζημιόω ('to suffer loss, to penalize'). Ultimately the derivation is uncertain, but it may be distantly related to the root underlying δαμάζω ('to tame, subdue') through a semantic shift involving control or imposed penalty. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ζημία primarily indicated penalty or fine, a judicial or legal sense of loss or punishment, and could also mean harm or loss more generally. In Hellenistic and Koine usage (including the Septuagint and the New Testament), the judicial sense remains, but the word more commonly refers to material loss, damage, or disadvantage, sometimes in contrast to 'gain' (κέρδος). In the New Testament, ζημία is used both in judicial contexts ('penalty') and metaphorically for spiritual or existential loss, particularly in Paul's letters (cf. Phil 3:7-8) where material or social gain is counted as ζημία in light of a greater value. English translations often render ζημία as 'loss' or 'damage,' but do not always capture its occasional penal or disadvantage sense. Notably, ζημία is less frequently used of physical damage and more for the figurative or legal/moral realm, unlike βλάβη which more often refers to harm or injury. In the Septuagint, ζημία may be used for Hebrew words meaning 'loss,' 'penalty,' or 'damage.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to the base of δαμάζω (through the idea of violence); detriment:--damage, loss.

Root Family

ζημία (zēmia) — loss, forfeiture, penalty, detriment, disadvantage

Root ζημ- to suffer loss, to be penalized, to experience disadvantage

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2209-01 ζημίαν zemian N ACC F SG loss forfeiture loss 3
G2209-02 ζημίας zemias N GEN F SG damage of forfeiture of forfeiture 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2209-02 Acts 27:10 ζημίας zemias N GEN F SG damage of forfeiture of forfeiture
G2209-01 Acts 27:21 ζημίαν zemian N ACC F SG loss forfeiture loss
G2209-01 Philippians 3:7 ζημίαν zemian N ACC F SG loss forfeiture loss
G2209-01 Philippians 3:8 ζημίαν zemian N ACC F SG loss forfeiture loss
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