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σῶμα

sōma

G4983 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Body – the physical body of a living being, whether human or animal; more generally, the material or outward, tangible aspect of a person or creature. In extended usage, can signify the collective body (e.g., a corporation, a group of people viewed as a unified entity) or, in some specialized contexts, a corpse. Seldom, in idiomatic uses, may refer to the whole self, or a tangible object distinct from immaterial aspects.

Semantic Range

physical body (human or animal), corpse, collective group (as a unified body), body as distinct from soul or spirit, body in contrast to flesh (σάρξ), tangible aspect of a being, the body as an instrument or vessel, body of a text or material object

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root σῶμα (sōma), of unknown or uncertain etymology; commonly connected with classical Greek usage with similar sense, but ultimate origin is unclear. Not derived from σῴζω (sōzō, "to save") but the similarity is coincidental; the ancient association is not supported etymologically.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek (from Homer onward), σῶμα denotes the physical body as distinct from the soul or mind. In philosophical contexts, such as Plato and Aristotle, σῶμα is contrasted with ψυχή (psychē, "soul"). In the Septuagint, it commonly translates Hebrew גּוּף (guf, body) or בָּשָׂר (basar, flesh), but with some variation. In the New Testament, σῶμα retains its core physical meaning, but is frequently employed in metaphorical contexts, such as the 'body' of a community (Pauline literature, e.g., 'body of the Messiah'), and may refer to a dead body (corpse). English translations as "body" generally capture the primary sense, but some figurative or collective usages (e.g., body politic, association of believers) require contextual clarification. Unlike the term δῶμα (dōma, "house, building"), σῶμα always refers (literally or metaphorically) to an organic, living entity unless the sense is 'corpse.'

Translation Consistency

primary "body" 131 occurrences

σῶμα most commonly and naturally translates as “body” in English — covering the physical body of a person or animal, a corpse, and collective/unified groups (the body of believers). “Body” is the standard, natural rendering in the SILEX sense and matches the overwhelming majority of attested usages (e.g., singular and plural forms become “body”/“bodies”), while avoiding confusion with technical alternatives like “flesh.”

Alternatives (11 occurrences):
"bodies" (10x) "slaves" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.

Root Family

σῶμα (sōma) — body, physical self, united entity

Root σῶμ- body, physical self, united entity

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4983-01 σῶμά soma N NOM N SG body body body 70
G4983-05 σώματός somatos N GEN N SG body of the body of the body 36
G4983-03 σώματι somati N DAT N SG body to the body to the body 25
G4983-02 σώματα somata N NOM N PL bodies bodies bodies 10
G4983-04 σωμάτων somaton N GEN N PL slaves of bodies slaves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

142 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4983-01 Matthew 5:29 σῶμά soma N NOM N SG body body body
G4983-01 Matthew 5:30 σῶμά soma N NOM N SG body body body
G4983-05 Matthew 6:22 σώματός somatos N GEN N SG body of the body of the body
G4983-01 Matthew 6:22 σῶμά soma N NOM N SG body body body
G4983-01 Matthew 6:23 σῶμά soma N NOM N SG body body body
G4983-03 Matthew 6:25 σώματι somati N DAT N SG body to the body to the body
G4983-01 Matthew 6:25 σῶμα soma N NOM N SG body body body
G4983-01 Matthew 10:28 σῶμα soma N ACC N SG body body body
G4983-01 Matthew 10:28 σῶμα soma-2 N ACC N SG body body body
G4983-05 Matthew 26:12 σώματός somatos N GEN N SG body of the body of the body
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