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πλανήτης

planḗtēs

G4107 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who wanders or roams; in post-classical, especially Hellenistic and Koine usage, typically a 'wandering' body or entity. In rare, figurative usage, refers to an erratic, unsteady person or an itinerant teacher whose teachings lack stability or orthodoxy. The primary sense denotes movement without fixed direction or position, especially in contrast to the fixed stars (ἀπλανεῖς).

Semantic Range

wanderer, roamer (person or celestial body); (in later or figurative use) erratic teacher, doctrinally unstable individual; planet (astronomical), stellar wanderer

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb πλανάω (to wander, to stray), itself stemming from the root πλάν- (to cause to wander, to lead astray). The suffix -της forms masculine agent nouns from verbs, indicating one characterized by the action. Thus, πλανήτης literally means 'wanderer.' The designation of the seven classical 'planets' as πλανῆτες (wanderers) predates Koine but carries into later usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest attested in Hellenistic astronomical texts, πλανήτης describes the 'wandering stars' (planets) observed against the fixed backdrop of the celestial sphere. In non-astronomical usage, especially in later Greek and in Jewish-Greek writings, it could be used disparagingly metaphorically for persons—typically itinerant teachers or those considered unorthodox or unstable in doctrine. The term is rare in the New Testament and LXX, and in Christian writings was sometimes applied to heretical or deceptive teachers. English 'planet' is a direct borrowing via Latin, yet the figurative use for people as 'wanderers' is not preserved in most English translations, which obscure the original Greek nuance. The adjective πλάνης or the participle πλανώμενος are more common for 'deceiver' or 'errant.' Contrasts with ἀπλανής (fixed, not wandering). The term's astronomical sense is primary in classical and Hellenistic sources; figurative human application is always contextually marked.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλάνος; a rover ("planet"), i.e. (figuratively) an erratic teacher:--wandering.

Root Family

πλανήτης (planētēs) — wanderer, roamer, one who strays

Root πλάν- to wander, to stray, to roam

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4107-01 πλανῆται planetai ADJ.A NOM M PL wandering wanderers wanderers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4107-01 Jude 1:13 πλανῆται planetai ADJ.A NOM M PL wandering wanderers wanderers
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