← G4573 G4575 →

σέβασμα

sébasma

G4574 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Object of reverence or worship; primarily, something which inspires awe, veneration, or religious devotion; refers specifically to a cult object, such as an idol, image, or altar, which is regarded as worthy of worship or religious honor. In broader usage, denotes anything treated with extreme reverence in a religious or cultic context.

Semantic Range

object of religious veneration, idol, image, altar, cult object, object that inspires awe or reverence, anything regarded as worthy of worship

Root / Etymology

From the verb σεβάζομαι (to revere, to worship, to hold in awe or fear); ultimately connected to σεβ-/σεβαστός (venerable, august). Derived by addition of the nominal suffix -μα, indicating the result of an action or the object of a process.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Found rarely in pre-Hellenistic literature; more common in Koine Greek, especially in religious and cultic contexts. In the Septuagint, typically used to translate Hebrew terms denoting idols or cult objects (e.g., the 'abominations' or 'detestable things' of pagan nations), sometimes reflecting a negative evaluation from an Israelite or Judean perspective. In the New Testament, occurs in contexts criticizing the worship of material objects or idols (e.g., Acts 17:23). The English tradition of translating as 'that which is worshipped' or 'an object of worship' accurately reflects the word’s referent but not its sometimes negative connotations. Distinct from simply 'worship' (σεβαστός is the adjective, σεβάζομαι the verb); σέβασμα emphasizes the object or thing which receives veneration, often a statue, icon, or shrine. Its connotation in Judean and early Christian sources tended toward disapproval, marking it as 'idol' or 'pagan cult object.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σεβάζομαι; something adored, i.e. an object of worship (god, altar, etc):--devotion, that is worshipped.

Root Family

σεβ- (eusébeia) — to revere, to show respect, to worship

Root σεβ- to revere, to worship, to hold in awe
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2150 εὐσέβεια to devout reverence
G2152 εὐσεβής properly reverent (masculine singular accusative)
G2153 εὐσεβῶς with proper reverence
G4573 σεβάζομαι they venerated
G4576 σέβομαι to revere devoutly

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4574-01 σέβασμα sebasma N ACC N SG object of worship object of reverence object of reverence 1
G4574-02 σεβάσματα sebasmata N ACC N PL objects of worship objects of veneration objects of veneration 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4574-02 Acts 17:23 σεβάσματα sebasmata N ACC N PL objects of worship objects of veneration objects of veneration
G4574-01 2 Thessalonians 2:4 σέβασμα sebasma N ACC N SG object of worship object of reverence object of reverence
← G4573 Greek Lexicon G4575 →