ἴαμα

íama

G2386 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An act or means of healing, remedy, or cure; denotes the result or effect of a healing process. In various contexts, refers to the restoration to health, whether physical or metaphorical. The term can indicate both the action of curing and the tangible result (restoration, health). In literary and medical contexts, may refer to medicine or a specific remedy.

Semantic Range

healing, cure, remedy, restoration to health, medicine, result or effect of healing (physical or metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ἰάομαι (to heal, to cure), with the nominal suffix -μα indicating the effect or result of the action. Thus, ἴαμα literally denotes 'that which heals' or 'the healing accomplished.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἴαμα is used widely for the result of curing, including physical healing by physicians or through natural means, remedies or medicines, as well as metaphorical healing (such as healing of the soul or mind by philosophy or the arts). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it primarily refers to acts of divine or miraculous healing, emphasizing the restoration brought about by divine power. The term is rare in the New Testament (used in 1 Corinthians 12:9, 12:28, 12:30 concerning spiritual gifts of 'healings'). English translations often render it as 'healing' or 'cure,' but these may not capture its use for both act and result, and occasionally for a concrete medicine. The nuance of an accomplished action (i.e., the effect or cure achieved) is present throughout antiquity. Other Greek terms for healing (θεραπεία, ὑγιεία) overlap in usage, but ἴαμα uniquely stresses the effect/result (cf. θεραπεία as the process or service of healing; ὑγιεία as 'soundness,' 'health').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἰάομαι; a cure (the effect):--healing.

Root Family

ἴαμα (iama) — healing, cure, remedy, restoration to health

Root ἰα- to heal, to cure

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2386-01 ἰαμάτων iamaton N GEN N PL of healings of healings of healings 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2386-01 1 Corinthians 12:9 ἰαμάτων iamaton N GEN N PL of healing of healings of healings
G2386-01 1 Corinthians 12:28 ἰαμάτων iamaton N GEN N PL of healings of healings of healings
G2386-01 1 Corinthians 12:30 ἰαμάτων iamaton N GEN N PL of healings of healings of healings