λατομέω
latoméō
G2998 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cut or hew stone, especially by quarrying; to extract stone from a quarry. The primary sense is to hew or break rock, usually as part of stoneworking or construction preparations. In wider contexts, it can refer to the general activity of working stone, but always with reference to the initial extraction or shaping of stone blocks for use.
Semantic Range
to quarry stone, to hew rock, to extract building material from a quarry, to shape or work stone for construction
Root / Etymology
From the first element of λαξευτός (laxeutós, meaning 'hewn' or 'cut in stone'), which is linked to λάας (lás, 'stone'), and the stem of τομώτερος (tomōteros, 'sharper'), from τέμνω (temnō, 'to cut'). Thus, λατομέω is a compound indicating 'cutting stone.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from the Hellenistic period onward, λατομέω is relatively rare in classical texts but occurs in post-classical sources and Koine, reflecting the economic and construction activities typical of the Greek-speaking eastern Mediterranean. The term is mainly found in descriptions of quarrying stone for construction projects, particularly temples, city walls, and tombs. In the Septuagint (e.g., 1 Kings 5:18 LXX) and occasional New Testament contexts, it refers concretely to preparing stones for building. Unlike more general terms for 'cutting' (e.g., τέμνω), λατομέω has the specific sense of extracting or shaping stone material. Its cognate noun λατομεῖον refers to a stone quarry or the place where quarrying occurs. Standard English translations such as 'hew' or 'quarry' often capture the primary use but can obscure the specific reference to stone extraction in building or monumental contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as the first part of λαξευτός and the base of τομώτερος; to quarry:--hew.
Root Family
λατομ- (latoméō) — to cut, to hew, to quarry (stone)
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2998-01 |
ἐλατόμησεν | elatomesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he had hewn | he quarried stone | he quarried | 1 |
G2998-02 |
λελατομημένον | lelatomemenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
hewn | having been quarried | hewn | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2998-01 |
Matthew 27:60 | ἐλατόμησεν | elatomesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he had hewn | he quarried stone | he quarried |
G2998-02 |
Mark 15:46 | λελατομημένον | lelatomemenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
hewn | having been quarried | hewn |