οἰκοδομία
oikodomía
G3620
SILEX Entry
Definition
Act of building or constructing, particularly of a structure; by extension, the process of strengthening, developing, or improving, especially in a figurative sense such as moral, communal, or spiritual improvement. The primary sense denotes the act, result, or process of constructing or building up, both in the physical sense (erection of buildings) and metaphorical applications, particularly the benefit, instruction, or advancement of a community or individual.
Semantic Range
act of building, process of construction, building up (literal or figurative), edification, strengthening, instruction leading to improvement, spiritual or moral advancement, benefit to a community or individual
Root / Etymology
From οἰκοδομή (oikodomē, 'building, structure'), itself derived from οἶκος ('house') + δέμω (a stem meaning 'to build'). Related to οἰκοδομέω ('to build up, to construct').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, οἰκοδομία is uncommon but appears in certain authors to denote the act or result of building. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, its use expands metaphorically to refer to edification or improvement, primarily applied to individuals or communities in ethical, intellectual, or spiritual dimensions. In the Pauline epistles, it regularly denotes the spiritual strengthening or moral improvement of a community, as in 'building up' individuals or assemblies. Standard translations such as 'edifying' or 'edification' capture the metaphorical aspect but may obscure the underlying imagery of construction. The term is distinct from words for general improvement or instruction by its core metaphor; it implies structured development toward a goal, not merely education. The technical sense of 'confirmation' (as in Strong's gloss) arises from affirming or consolidating the structure of something, rather than just intellectual assent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as οἰκοδομή; confirmation:--edifying.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.