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πλησίον

plēsíon

G4139 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Adverb: near, nearby, in close proximity (spatially or figuratively). Substantival (noun use): one who is near, a neighbor, fellow human being, compatriot, or associate. In extended usage, may refer to any person with whom one comes into contact, especially in a moral or social context.

Semantic Range

near, close by, nearby (adv.); neighbor, fellow human, companion, associate (substantival)

Root / Etymology

From Greek πλησίος (near, neighboring, close by), which is derived from the preposition πρὸς (toward) and the root of πέλας (near). The word is an adverb used substantivally without specific inflection. Its Indo-European root conveys the notion of proximity. No direct Semitic derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πλησίον functioned primarily as an adverb meaning 'near' or 'close by', and only secondarily shifted into a more substantival or nominal use for 'neighbor' or 'the one nearby.' In the Septuagint, πλησίον commonly renders the Hebrew רֵעַ (reʿa‘) or שָׁכֵן (shakhen), referring to a companion, associate, fellow Israelite, or a person living in close proximity. In the New Testament, especially in the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Luke 10:27, the Parable of the Good Samaritan), the term expands in meaning: it is used substantivally to refer to any person with whom one comes into social or moral relationship, not limited to kin, co-ethnics, or literal neighbors, but potentially any fellow human being. English translations as 'neighbor' can narrow the sense, whereas the Greek may have broader, relational connotations. πλησίον does not intrinsically imply social intimacy, shared ethnicity, or religious affiliation; context clarifies its scope. In post-biblical Greek, the word retains both literal and broader metaphorical senses.

Translation Consistency

primary "neighbor" 16 occurrences

The predominant substantive sense in the SILEX and P2 occurrences is the noun 'neighbor' (15 of 17 renderings). 'Neighbor' naturally captures both the literal nearby person and the moral/social sense (fellow human, compatriot), and is the most idiomatic, consistent English choice to use across all forms of πλησίον.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"nearby" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a derivative of (near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend):--near, neighbour.

Root Family

πλησ- (epiplḗssō) — to strike, to hit, to chastise

Root πλησ- to be near, to approach, to be close
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1969 ἐπιπλήσσω you should strike upon
G4140 πλησμονή fullness

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4139-01 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor 17

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4139-01 Matthew 5:43 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Matthew 19:19 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Matthew 22:39 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Mark 12:31 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Mark 12:33 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Luke 10:27 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Luke 10:29 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S GEN M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Luke 10:36 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S NOM M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 John 4:5 πλησίον plesion PREP GEN near a nearby fellow nearby
G4139-01 Acts 7:27 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Romans 13:9 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Romans 13:10 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S DAT M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Romans 15:2 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S DAT M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Galatians 5:14 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 Ephesians 4:25 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S GEN M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 James 2:8 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
G4139-01 James 4:12 πλησίον plesion ADJ.S ACC M SG neighbor a nearby fellow a neighbor
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