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στρατιώτης

stratiṓtēs

G4757 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person serving as a soldier, i.e., one engaged as a member of an organized military or armed force. In various contexts, can refer to any enlisted military figure, whether in a formal army, auxiliary corps, or as a guard. In the New Testament, typically a soldier of the Roman army, but also more generally, any armed service member. The term can be used literally (actual military personnel) or in rare instances, metaphorically (as with spiritual warfare imagery).

Semantic Range

soldier (professional or auxiliary), military personnel, guard, one engaged in armed service, occasionally metaphorical as one fighting or struggling in a cause

Root / Etymology

From στρατιά (army, host) with the agentive suffix -της, signifying 'one belonging to' or 'one characterized by' an army; thus, 'soldier' or 'member of the army.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στρατιώτης refers to any soldier, whether of the citizen militia (hoplite) or various forms of organized military. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term typically denotes a professional soldier, often Roman but not exclusively so. In the context of the Roman Empire, στρατιώτης applies to legionaries, auxiliary troops, or garrison soldiers stationed in regions such as Judea. The term contrasts with other words such as πολεμιστής (warrior, fighter), which emphasizes combat ability rather than formal enlistment. In New Testament and early Christian literature, the metaphorical extension of the term (e.g., 'soldier of Christ') appears mainly in later Christian writings rather than the New Testament itself. Most standard English translations render the word as 'soldier,' which accurately conveys its primary meaning, though the nuances of ancient military life or specific Roman ranks are not always captured. The word appears in both literal narratives involving military personnel (e.g., at Jesus' crucifixion) and occasionally in parabolic speech.

Translation Consistency

primary "soldier" 25 occurrences

The term’s primary and most natural English equivalent is “soldier.” It matches the overwhelming NT usage (usually referring to Roman or other military personnel), covers both singular and plural forms by inflection, and also accommodates the occasional metaphorical use (one who fights/serves a cause). Using the noun “soldier” ensures clear, consistent rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed derivative of the same as στρατιά; a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively):--soldier.

Root Family

στρατιωτ- (stratiṓtēs) — soldier, member of an armed force

Root στρατιωτ- soldier, member of an armed force
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4961 συστρατιώτης to a fellow soldier

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4757-01 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers 9
G4757-03 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers 5
G4757-07 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers of soldiers of soldiers 5
G4757-02 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL soldiers to soldiers to soldiers 3
G4757-04 στρατιώτῃ stratiote N DAT M SG soldier to a soldier soldier 2
G4757-05 στρατιώτην stratioten N ACC M SG soldier a soldier a soldier 1
G4757-06 στρατιώτης stratiotes N NOM M SG soldier soldier soldier 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4757-03 Matthew 8:9 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 Matthew 27:27 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-02 Matthew 28:12 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL soldiers to soldiers to soldiers
G4757-01 Mark 15:16 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-03 Luke 7:8 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 Luke 23:36 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 John 19:2 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 John 19:23 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-04 John 19:23 στρατιώτῃ stratiote N DAT M SG soldier to a soldier soldier
G4757-01 John 19:24 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 John 19:32 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-07 John 19:34 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers of soldiers of soldiers
G4757-05 Acts 10:7 στρατιώτην stratioten N ACC M SG soldier a soldier a soldier
G4757-07 Acts 12:4 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL of soldiers of soldiers of soldiers
G4757-07 Acts 12:6 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers of soldiers of soldiers
G4757-02 Acts 12:18 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL soldiers to soldiers to soldiers
G4757-03 Acts 21:32 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-03 Acts 21:32 στρατιώτας stratiotas-2 N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-07 Acts 21:35 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers of soldiers of soldiers
G4757-03 Acts 23:23 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 Acts 23:31 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-02 Acts 27:31 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL soldiers to soldiers to soldiers
G4757-01 Acts 27:32 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers soldiers
G4757-07 Acts 27:42 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers' of soldiers of soldiers
G4757-04 Acts 28:16 στρατιώτῃ stratiote N DAT M SG soldier to a soldier
G4757-06 2 Timothy 2:3 στρατιώτης stratiotes N NOM M SG soldier soldier soldier
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