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πρᾶγμα

prâgma

G4229 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An action or deed; more generally, a matter, situation, or affair involving concrete or practical circumstances. Can also refer to a subject of dispute, case, or business in administrative or legal contexts. Extended usage includes an object or thing considered as the result of action.

Semantic Range

deed, action, affair, business, dispute, legal case, matter, situation, event, object, thing

Root / Etymology

From the root πρᾶσσω (to do, to accomplish, to act) with the nominalizing suffix -μα indicating the result of an action. Thus, 'that which has been done' or 'an accomplished act.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

πρᾶγμα appears in classical Greek (as early as Herodotus) with the primary sense 'that which is done,' i.e., a deed or (more abstractly) a situation, matter, or affair. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, its meaning broadened to cover a range of practical or administrative matters—legal cases, business affairs, or disputes (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:1: legal case/lawsuit; Philippians 4:8: things/topics of consideration). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms for 'matter' or 'thing' (e.g., דָּבָר, dabar). In the New Testament, it can mean a specific act, case, dispute, corporate or legal business, or more abstractly a 'thing' or 'matter' under consideration. Later English translations often render it as 'deed,' 'matter,' 'business,' or 'thing'; however, these can flatten its functional flexibility in Greek, especially in legal or civic contexts. Not to be confused with πράξις, which more specifically designates the process or function of acting, whereas πρᾶγμα usually focuses on the result, outcome, or substantive issue.

Translation Consistency

primary "matter" 9 occurrences

πρᾶγμα most commonly denotes a 'matter' or affair — a situation, business, case, deed, or thing. 'Matter' is natural English, broadly covers legal, practical, and abstract senses, and matches the typical NT usage better than more specific choices like 'deed' or 'case.'

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"thing" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πράσσω; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material):--business, matter, thing, work.

Root Family

πρᾶγμα (pragma) — deed, action, accomplished act, affair, matter

Root πραγ- to do, act, accomplish, carry out

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4229-03 πραγμάτων pragmaton N GEN N PL things of deeds of matters 4
G4229-02 πράγματι pragmati N DAT N SG matter in a matter in a matter 3
G4229-01 πρᾶγμα pragma N ACC N SG thing accomplished act thing 3
G4229-04 πράγματος pragmatos N GEN N SG thing of a deed matter 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4229-04 Matthew 18:19 πράγματος pragmatos N GEN N SG thing of a deed matter
G4229-03 Luke 1:1 πραγμάτων pragmaton N GEN N PL matters of deeds of matters
G4229-01 Acts 5:4 πρᾶγμα pragma N ACC N SG thing accomplished act thing
G4229-02 Romans 16:2 πράγματι pragmati N DAT N SG business/matter in a matter in a matter
G4229-01 1 Corinthians 6:1 πρᾶγμα pragma N ACC N SG matter accomplished act matter
G4229-02 2 Corinthians 7:11 πράγματι pragmati N DAT N SG matter in a matter in a matter
G4229-02 1 Thessalonians 4:6 πράγματι pragmati N DAT N SG matter in a matter in a matter
G4229-03 Hebrews 6:18 πραγμάτων pragmaton N GEN N PL things of deeds of matters
G4229-03 Hebrews 10:1 πραγμάτων pragmaton N GEN N PL things of deeds of matters
G4229-03 Hebrews 11:1 πραγμάτων pragmaton N GEN N PL things of deeds of matters
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