πέδη (G3976) — Greek Lexicon

πέδη

pédē

G3976 noun

SILEX Entry

Root πεδ- to bind, to restrain (the feet)

Definition

A device for restraining motion by fastening around the feet or ankles; a shackle, fetter, or chain for the feet. The primary meaning refers to iron or metal restraints placed on the feet as a means of preventing movement, commonly used in the imprisonment or punitive confinement of captives or prisoners. In some rare contexts, the term may refer more generally to any foot-constraint, but its usual referent is a physical, often iron, fetter.

Semantic Range

fetter, shackle (for the feet), iron restraint, chain for the feet

Root / Etymology

From πούς (foot) by way of analogy, as the object directly relates to the foot. Cognate with Latin pedica (shackle, snare for the foot).

Historical & Contextual Notes

The earliest attestations of πέδη are in classical Greek (e.g., Aeschylus, Herodotus), consistently referring to literal shackles or fetters for the feet, made of iron or similar materials. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term retains this concrete meaning with little semantic shift; it is used to denote literal physical restraints imposed on individuals, particularly in the context of captivity or imprisonment (cf. Acts 16:24 LXX, where 'fetters' are applied to prisoners). The English translation 'fetter' adequately conveys the meaning, although the Greek suggests an exclusive focus on the feet, while 'shackle' or 'chain' in modern usage could be broader. The word never takes on a figurative or spiritualized sense in ancient sources; it never comes to mean 'bondage' in a metaphorical sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

ultimately from πούς; a shackle for the feet:--fetter.

Root Family

πέδη (pedē) — to bind, to restrain the feet, fetter, shackle

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3976-01`	πέδαις	pedais	`N DAT F PL`	shackles	with foot-fetters	being guarded	2
`G3976-02`	πέδας	pedas	`N ACC F PL`	fetters	foot-fetters	foot-fetters	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3976-01`	Mark 5:4	πέδαις	pedais	`N DAT F PL`	with fetters	with foot-fetters	with foot-fetters
`G3976-02`	Mark 5:4	πέδας	pedas	`N ACC F PL`	fetters	foot-fetters	foot-fetters
`G3976-01`	Luke 8:29	πέδαις	pedais	`N DAT F PL`	shackles	with foot-fetters	being guarded

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