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παρεμβολή

parembolḗ

G3925 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A fortified encampment, a military camp, or an arrayed formation; in broader use, any encampment or space where people are gathered, especially in a military context. The term may also refer to the specific site of an armed force or the arrangements of troops in battle formation. In certain contexts, the term extends to mean barracks or a large fortification (e.g., a stronghold) where soldiers are housed.

Semantic Range

encampment, military camp, battle formation, barracks, fortified installation, army arrangement, camp of people, garrison, castle/fortress

Root / Etymology

From the preposition παρά ('beside, along') and the verb ἐμβάλλω ('to throw in'); literally 'a placing or casting beside.' The form indicates something set out or ranged, typically describing troops laid out in order or the space where such ordering takes place. Related to the concept of juxtaposition or arrangement, especially in a military sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παρεμβολή is used of a military camp or army encampment—spaces set aside and fortified for soldiers. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, as attested in both the LXX and extra-biblical Greek sources, the term continued to denote a space occupied or arranged for defense. In the Septuagint, the term translates Hebrew מַחֲנֶה (machaneh), meaning 'camp'—especially Israelite encampments in the wilderness. In Roman-era Judea, most notably in the New Testament, παρεμβολή can also designate a fortified military installation, such as the 'barracks' (castle) attached to the Jerusalem temple precinct (cf. Acts 21:34, referring to the Antonia Fortress). English translations often narrowly render the word as 'camp,' 'barracks,' or 'army,' but the original Greek embraces a wider semantic field—focusing on the spatial and organizational aspect of an encampment, not only the inhabitants. Some contexts (esp. Hebrews 13:11-13) evoke the image of the camp as a boundary between sacred and profane spaces; this nuance is tied directly to Israelite and Greco-Roman practices of camp arrangement. The meaning overlaps with but is not identical to στρατόπεδον (stratopedon, 'army camp') or φρουρά (phroura, 'garrison').

Translation Consistency

primary "camp" 9 occurrences

παρεμβολή most often denotes a military or grouped encampment. 'Camp' is the most natural, concise English noun that covers encampment, military camp, garrison/barracks, and battle formation senses, and it aligns with common English Bible usage; it will provide consistent, natural renderings across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"fortified encampments" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of παρά and ἐμβάλλω; a throwing in beside (juxtaposition), i.e. (specially), battle-array, encampment or barracks (tower Antonia):--army, camp, castle.

Root Family

παρεμβολ- (parembolḗ) — to set beside, arrange beside, encamp

Root παρεμβολ- to set beside, arrange beside, encamp

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3925-02 παρεμβολήν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp 7
G3925-03 παρεμβολῆς paremboles N GEN F SG camp of a fortified encampment of a fortified camp 2
G3925-01 παρεμβολὰς parembolas N ACC F PL armies fortified encampments fortified encampments 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3925-02 Acts 21:34 παρεμβολήν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-02 Acts 21:37 παρεμβολὴν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-02 Acts 22:24 παρεμβολήν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-02 Acts 23:10 παρεμβολήν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-02 Acts 23:16 παρεμβολὴν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-02 Acts 23:32 παρεμβολήν parembolen N ACC F SG barracks a fortified encampment a fortified camp
G3925-01 Hebrews 11:34 παρεμβολὰς parembolas N ACC F PL armies fortified encampments fortified encampments
G3925-03 Hebrews 13:11 παρεμβολῆς paremboles N GEN F SG camp of a fortified encampment of a fortified camp
G3925-03 Hebrews 13:13 παρεμβολῆς paremboles N GEN F SG camp of a fortified encampment of a fortified camp
G3925-02 Revelation 20:9 παρεμβολὴν parembolen N ACC F SG camp a fortified encampment a fortified camp
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