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πλατεῖα

plateîa

G4113 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A broad, open public space in a city, typically used for assembly, markets, or civic gatherings; refers primarily to a wide square or plaza in an urban setting. By extension, may mean a broad street, especially one that opens into or is adjacent to a public square. In Hellenistic and Roman cities, the πλατεῖα was often a central feature serving multiple civic functions.

Semantic Range

broad square, open plaza, wide street, marketplace, public gathering space

Root / Etymology

From πλατύς (platys, 'broad, wide'), with the feminine ending –α, denoting a wide open area. Directly related to the adjective πλατύς, suggesting breadth as the defining characteristic.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, πλατεῖα referred specifically to the broad open spaces that formed the center of city life—the public square, marketplace (agora), or civic plaza. In many Greek and Roman cities, the πλατεῖα was a focal point of social, commercial, and administrative activity—distinct from narrower streets (ὁδός). In the Septuagint, πλατεῖα translates various Hebrew terms for town squares or communal spaces (e.g., רְחֹב, reḥōv). In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 6:5), πλατεῖα refers to open streets or plazas where people gather, often emphasizing public visibility. English translations often render πλατεῖα simply as 'street'; however, this can obscure its specific reference to wide, communal spaces—more open than typical streets and associated with public gatherings. This is distinct from στενός, which means 'narrow (street).','root':'πλατ-','core_meanings':'broad, wide','semantic_range':'broad square, open plaza, wide street, marketplace, public gathering space'}

Translation Consistency

primary "square" 9 occurrences

The primary sense of πλατεῖα is an open, broad urban public space — a plaza or wide square. 'Square' is a natural, idiomatic English noun that covers the typical usages (open plaza, marketplace, broad street opening into a public place) and reads naturally across contexts, so it best serves consistency for all forms of this lemma.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of πλατύς; a wide "plat" or "place", i.e. open square:--street.

Root Family

πλατ- (plateîa) — broad, wide

Root πλατ- broad, wide
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4114 πλάτος breadth
G4115 πλατύνω has been broadened
G4116 πλατύς broad

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4113-03 πλατείας plateias N ACC F PL streets broad public squares broad public squares 5
G4113-02 πλατείαις plateiais N DAT F PL streets in broad public squares broad public squares 2
G4113-01 πλατεῖα plateia N NOM F SG street broad public square broad public square 1
G4113-04 πλατειῶν plateion N GEN F PL streets of broad public squares broad public squares 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4113-04 Matthew 6:5 πλατειῶν plateion N GEN F PL streets of broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-02 Matthew 12:19 πλατείαις plateiais N DAT F PL streets in broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-03 Luke 10:10 πλατείας plateias N ACC F PL streets broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-02 Luke 13:26 πλατείαις plateiais N DAT F PL streets in broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-03 Luke 14:21 πλατείας plateias N ACC F PL streets broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-03 Acts 5:15 πλατείας plateias N ACC F PL streets broad public squares broad public squares
G4113-03 Revelation 11:8 πλατείας plateias N GEN F SG street broad public squares broad public square
G4113-01 Revelation 21:21 πλατεῖα plateia N NOM F SG street broad public square broad public square
G4113-03 Revelation 22:2 πλατείας plateias N GEN F SG street broad public squares broad public square
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