πλάξ (G4109) — Greek Lexicon

πλάξ

pláx

G4109 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A broad, flat surface; specifically, a tablet or plate. Refers to a flat object used for writing, inscription, or display. Can also denote a panel, slab, or tablet of wood, metal, or stone, either literal (as a physical object) or figurative (as in a metaphor for a record or inscription).

Semantic Range

tablet for writing or inscription, plate, flat panel, slab, broad plain (rare), figurative record or inscription

Root / Etymology

Derived from πλάσσω (to form, to mold, to shape), indicating something molded or shaped into a flat surface or object. The connection is with the process of forming or molding a broad, flat plane.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλάξ refers to any broad, flat surface such as a plate, slab, tablet, or even a plain (geographic). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, its meaning narrows somewhat to written tablets or panels, especially for inscribing texts (legal documents, decrees, etc.). In the LXX and New Testament, it retains the sense of a tablet—often for writing—or a plate or panel. English translations as 'table' or 'tablet' sometimes fail to capture the range of materials and uses implied; the term could refer to metal, stone, wood, or wax tablets. The Latin equivalent would be 'tabula.' Later theological or translation traditions tend to render it as 'tablets' (e.g., 'tables of the law'), but the word itself is not specific to two stone tablets or to any religious use. Unlike δέλτος (wax writing tablet) and πίναξ (painting panel, inscription board), πλάξ emphasizes the object's shaped broadness rather than material or function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλάσσω; a moulding-board, i.e. flat surface ("plate", or tablet, literally or figuratively):--table.

Root Family

πλάξ (plax) — flat surface, plate, tablet, slab

Root πλακ- flat surface, plate, tablet, slab

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4109-02`	πλαξὶν	plaxin	`N DAT F PL`	tablets	to/for flat tablets	tablets	2
`G4109-01`	πλάκες	plakes	`N NOM F PL`	tablets	flat tablets	flat tablets	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4109-02`	2 Corinthians 3:3	πλαξὶν	plaxin	`N DAT F PL`	tablets	to/for flat tablets	tablets
`G4109-02`	2 Corinthians 3:3	πλαξὶν	plaxin-2	`N DAT F PL`	tablets	to/for flat tablets	tablets
`G4109-01`	Hebrews 9:4	πλάκες	plakes	`N NOM F PL`	tablets	flat tablets	flat tablets

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