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ξηρός

xērós

G3584 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Dry, lacking moisture or fluid; in primary usage, refers to something physically dry such as land not covered with water ('dry land') or bodily members that have lost moisture or vitality ('withered' hand). In extended contexts, can also describe arid regions, parched conditions, and sometimes, metaphorically, spiritual or lifeless states.

Semantic Range

dry (physical), arid (land), dry land (as opposed to sea or water), withered (bodily part), lacking natural moisture, figuratively lifeless or unfruitful (rare, non-biblical)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ξηρ- meaning 'dry', likely relating to the general sense of lack of moisture. Not etymologically related to ξέστης; rather, ξηρός is an established adjective in Greek from earliest classical usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ξηρός is attested from classical Greek literature (e.g. Homer and onwards) with the sense of 'dry', opposed to ὑγρός ('wet'). In Hellenistic Greek, especially in the Septuagint, ξηρός frequently translates Hebrew יַבָּשָׁה (yabashah, 'dry land') as in Genesis 1:9-10 and the Exodus crossing. In the New Testament, the term is used for 'dry land' (Hebrews 11:29; Acts 14:15), as well as bodily 'withered' conditions (e.g., ξηρὰ χείρ, 'withered hand' in Matthew 12:10). English translations sometimes render the physical meaning as 'dry land' or 'withered', but the underlying sense is lack of moisture. The semantic opposition to ὑγρός ('wet') is consistent across periods. There are metaphorical applications in later literature (e.g., 'dry' spiritually or emotionally) but these are rare in biblical usage. The linkage to 'scorching' in Strong's is indirect—the primary semantic factor is dryness, not heat. ξηρός is distinct from terms meaning 'barren' (ἄκαρπος), though both may occur in similar contexts (e.g., parched versus fruitless).

Translation Consistency

primary "dry" 6 occurrences

‘Dry’ is the most natural, common English headword that covers the primary SILEX senses (physically dry, arid, dry land) and can extend to dried/withered bodily conditions. It appears most often in existing renderings and is broader and more idiomatic than alternatives like ‘wither’ or ‘cripple,’ making it the best single-form choice for consistent treatment of G3584.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"withered" (1x) "crippled" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of ξέστης (through the idea of scorching); arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water):--dry land, withered.

Root Family

ξηρ- (xēraínō) — to dry, to make arid, to wither

Root ξηρ- dry, arid, parched, withered
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3583 ξηραίνω having been dried up

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3584-02 ξηράν xeran ADJ.S ACC F SG withered dry (feminine singular accusative) dry (feminine singular accusative) 4
G3584-01 ξηρά xera ADJ.P NOM F SG withered dry withered 1
G3584-03 ξηρᾶς xeras ADJ.A GEN F SG dry of dry dry 1
G3584-04 ξηρῷ xero ADJ.S DAT N SG dry to the dry dry 1
G3584-05 ξηρῶν xeron ADJ.S GEN M PL withered of dry ones crippled 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3584-02 Matthew 12:10 ξηράν xeran ADJ.S ACC F SG withered dry (feminine singular accusative) dry (feminine singular accusative)
G3584-02 Matthew 23:15 ξηρὰν xeran ADJ.S ACC F SG land dry (feminine singular accusative) dry land
G3584-02 Mark 3:3 ξηράν xeran ADJ.S ACC F SG withered dry (feminine singular accusative) dry (feminine singular accusative)
G3584-01 Luke 6:6 ξηρά xera ADJ.P NOM F SG withered dry withered
G3584-02 Luke 6:8 ξηρὰν xeran ADJ.S ACC F SG withered dry (feminine singular accusative) dry (feminine singular accusative)
G3584-04 Luke 23:31 ξηρῷ xero ADJ.S DAT N SG dry to the dry dry
G3584-05 John 5:3 ξηρῶν xeron ADJ.S GEN M PL withered of dry ones crippled
G3584-03 Hebrews 11:29 ξηρᾶς xeras ADJ.A GEN F SG dry of dry dry
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