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πλευρά

pleurá

G4125 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

pl. primary meaning: side, flank, or lateral part of a body or object (esp. animal or human); most commonly refers to the side or rib of a living creature. The term can refer generally to a side portion, lateral aspect, or an area adjacent to the main part, sometimes with specific reference to a rib (bone) but more broadly to the lateral side of a person, animal, or object.

Semantic Range

side (of a person, animal, or object), flank, rib, lateral part, region adjacent or beside main part

Root / Etymology

Greek πλευρά is of uncertain etymology; no clear Indo-European root is traceable. May be distantly related to other Mediterranean terms for 'side' or 'rib', but no secure derivation is established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλευρά is commonly used for the side or flank of the body, especially of animals, but also of humans (e.g., referencing the ribs or region of the ribs). In medical writers (such as Hippocrates), πάντα τὰ πλευρά can denote the entire rib-cage, or refer to a specific rib. In the Septuagint, πλευρά translates Hebrew צֵלָע (tsēlā‘), notably in Genesis 2:21–22 (the 'rib' or 'side' taken from Adam), leading to later interpretive traditions of 'rib.' In the New Testament (e.g., John 19:34), it refers specifically to the side of Jesus pierced by a spear. Across Hellenistic usage, πλευρά can also refer more generally to the side of inanimate objects (like a building or boat), not just living beings. English translations often render the term as 'side,' and context determines when a more specific reference to 'rib' is intended. The meaning overlaps with other Greek terms such as νῶτον (back), but πλευρά distinctively indicates the lateral regions or sides. Not associated with ethnic, geographic, or religious identity; term is anatomical or spatial in reference.

Translation Consistency

primary "side" 5 occurrences

'Side' is the most natural, broad English word that covers the primary senses of πλευρά — side, flank, lateral part, or the area adjacent to a main part (including the rib of a body). It matches the common usage in the data, is more general than the narrower 'rib', and reads naturally across contexts (e.g., 'the side of a person/animal/object').

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a rib, i.e. (by extension) side:--side.

Root Family

πλευρά (pleura) — side, flank, rib

Root πλευρ- side, flank, rib

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4125-01 πλευρὰν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4125-01 John 19:34 πλευρὰν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side
G4125-01 John 20:20 πλευρὰν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side
G4125-01 John 20:25 πλευρὰν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side
G4125-01 John 20:27 πλευράν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side
G4125-01 Acts 12:7 πλευρὰν pleuran N ACC F SG side side side
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