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σπήλαιον

spḗlaion

G4693 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A natural or artificial cave or cavern; a hollow space in the earth, often large and capable of being entered. In extended contexts, also used for a hiding place or a haunt for animals or people, particularly those seeking refuge.

Semantic Range

cave, cavern, grotto, den, hiding place, lair, haunt (of animals or outlaws), burial place

Root / Etymology

Rooted in σπέος (speos, 'cave') with the suffix -αῖον indicating a place or location, thus originally meaning 'a place that is hollowed out' or 'cavern.' Possible older Indo-European roots related to darkness or hollowness.','notes':'σπήλαιον is widely attested in both classical and post-classical Greek for natural caves, large earth cavities, and in some cases, man-made structures mimicking natural caves. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, it can also denote a hideout, especially one used by bandits, as in the New Testament phrase "σπήλαιον λῃστῶν" (den of robbers). In the Septuagint, σπήλαιον translates several Hebrew terms (notably מְעָרָה me‘arah), often conveying a site of burial or refuge. In English Bible tradition, usually rendered 'cave' or 'den,' although 'den' sometimes narrows the sense to a criminal or animal lair, which may not always align with the original intent. The spatial and protective aspect is primary in ancient usage; the figurative extension to sites associated with wrongdoing appears in later or contextual usage (cf. Jeremiah 7:11 LXX, Mark 11:17, Matthew 21:13). Distinct from terms like ὄρυγμα (pit) or φάραγξ (ravine, cleft), which emphasize different topographical features.','root':'σπηλ-','core_meanings':'to hollow out, to make a cavern','semantic_range':'cave, cavern, grotto, den, hiding place, lair, haunt (of animals or outlaws), burial place'} badges=[greek, neuter] %}

Historical & Contextual Notes

σπήλαιον is widely attested in both classical and post-classical Greek for natural caves, large earth cavities, and in some cases, man-made structures mimicking natural caves. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, it can also denote a hideout, especially one used by bandits, as in the New Testament phrase "σπήλαιον λῃστῶν" (den of robbers). In the Septuagint, σπήλαιον translates several Hebrew terms (notably מְעָרָה me‘arah), often conveying a site of burial or refuge. In English Bible tradition, usually rendered 'cave' or 'den,' although 'den' sometimes narrows the sense to a criminal or animal lair, which may not always align with the original intent. The spatial and protective aspect is primary in ancient usage; the figurative extension to sites associated with wrongdoing appears in later or contextual usage (cf. Jeremiah 7:11 LXX, Mark 11:17, Matthew 21:13). Distinct from terms like ὄρυγμα (pit) or φάραγξ (ravine, cleft), which emphasize different topographical features.

Translation Consistency

primary "cave" 6 occurrences

“Cave” is the most natural, broadly applicable English noun to cover the SILEX range (cave, cavern, grotto, den, hiding place, lair, burial place). It’s common in English Bible translations and in everyday speech, and it easily conveys both the physical hollow and the extended sense of a refuge or hiding place. It therefore provides the most consistent, readable rendering across all forms of G4693.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a presumed derivative of (a grotto); a cavern; by implication, a hiding-place or resort:--cave, den.

Root Family

σπήλαιον (spēlaion) — cave, cavern, hollowed-out place, grotto

Root σπηλ- to hollow out, to make a cavern

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4693-03 σπήλαιον spelaion N ACC N SG den cavern cave 4
G4693-01 σπήλαια spelaia N ACC N PL caves caves caves 1
G4693-02 σπηλαίοις spelaiois N DAT N PL caves to/for caves in caves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4693-03 Matthew 21:13 σπήλαιον spelaion N ACC N SG den cavern cave
G4693-03 Mark 11:17 σπήλαιον spelaion N ACC N SG den cavern cave
G4693-03 Luke 19:46 σπήλαιον spelaion N ACC N SG den cavern cave
G4693-03 John 11:38 σπήλαιον spelaion N NOM N SG cave cavern cave
G4693-02 Hebrews 11:38 σπηλαίοις spelaiois N DAT N PL caves to/for caves in caves
G4693-01 Revelation 6:15 σπήλαια spelaia N ACC N PL caves caves caves
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