← G4081 G4083 →

πήρα

pḗra

G4082 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain bag, pouch, satchel

Definition

A bag or pouch, typically made of leather, used for carrying provisions or personal items. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, refers specifically to a traveler's or wayfarer's sack carried over the shoulder, often for food or money. In some contexts, can refer more generally to a wallet or small sack.

Semantic Range

bag for provisions, traveler's pouch, wallet, satchel, beggar's bag, food bag

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πήρα is attested from classical Greek through the Hellenistic period, consistently referring to a portable bag or satchel. In Homeric and later literature, it commonly denotes a beggar's or traveler's leather bag, distinct from the βαλάντιον (money pouch) and τουτίον (sack for larger objects). The term appears in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:4, 22:35-36) to refer to the bag disciples were instructed to carry or leave behind during their itinerant activity, implying necessities for travel rather than just money. In LXX and Hellenistic texts, it reflected common daily usage rather than a specifically religious or ritual object. English translations sometimes use 'scrip' (an archaic word for a small bag), which does not fully communicate the practical, everyday nature of the term in Koine Greek. Over time, the term's meaning remained stable but had nuances depending on occupation (e.g., philosophers, beggars, shepherds, or travelers).

Translation Consistency

primary "bag" 5 occurrences

'Bag' is the most natural, broadly applicable English term that covers the primary semantic range (pouch, sack, satchel, traveler's pouch, wallet). It is common in modern English and fits the typical usage for a leather traveler's or food bag without sounding overly formal or specialized.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"traveler’s pouch" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a wallet or leather pouch for food:--scrip.

Root Family

πήρα (pēra) — bag, pouch, satchel

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4082-01 πήραν peran N ACC F SG bag a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag 5
G4082-02 πήρας peras N GEN F SG scrip of a traveler’s pouch a traveler’s pouch 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4082-01 Matthew 10:10 πήραν peran N ACC F SG bag a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag
G4082-01 Mark 6:8 πήραν peran N ACC F SG scrip a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag
G4082-01 Luke 9:3 πήραν peran N ACC F SG bag a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag
G4082-01 Luke 10:4 πήραν peran N ACC F SG bag a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag
G4082-02 Luke 22:35 πήρας peras N GEN F SG scrip of a traveler’s pouch a traveler’s pouch
G4082-01 Luke 22:36 πήραν peran N ACC F SG bag a traveler's pouch a traveler's bag
← G4081 Greek Lexicon G4083 →