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πρωΐα

prōḯa

G4405 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The early part of the day, specifically the time around dawn or shortly after sunrise; 'morning.' Used to mark the early hours, particularly the period immediately following the break of day. In some contexts, it can denote the interval during which morning activities begin or when events traditionally associated with the start of the day occur. The sense can be both specific (dawn) and general (the morning part of the day).

Semantic Range

earliest morning, dawn, daybreak, period just after sunrise, the start of the day, early morning hours

Root / Etymology

Feminine noun form derived from the adverb πρωΐ ('early in the morning,' 'at dawn'), ultimately from the root πρω- meaning 'first' or 'earliest.' Cognate with πρωΐ, which indicates the temporal concept of 'early.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

πρωΐα occurs in Koine Greek literature and appears in the New Testament to indicate the time shortly after sunrise, especially marking the beginning of daily events or timing in narratives. Its usage overlaps with other Greek terms for morning (ἕως ἡμέρας, ὄρθρος), but πρωΐα emphasizes the earliest morning interval rather than the entire morning period. In the Septuagint and contemporary Hellenistic texts, it signals the start of day, relevant for marking the timing of ritual, travel, or other time-dependent activities. English translations generally render it 'morning' or 'early morning,' but the term specifically highlights the immediate post-dawn period. The use of the feminine suffix –α formalizes the term (noun), contrasting with the adverbial πρωΐ. No significant semantic shift occurs in post-classical usage, but New Testament narratives may contrast πρωΐα with other watches of the night to denote a distinct time marker, relevant for narrative chronology or liturgical timing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a derivative of πρωΐ as noun; day-dawn:--early, morning.

Root Family

πρωΐα (prōïa) — first, earliest, dawn, early morning

Root πρω- first, earliest, at dawn

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4405-01 πρωΐας proias N GEN F SG morning of early morning of early morning 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4405-01 Matthew 27:1 πρωΐας proias N GEN F SG morning of early morning of early morning
G4405-01 John 21:4 πρωΐας proias N GEN F SG morning of early morning of early morning
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