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χήρα

chḗra

G5503 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A woman whose spouse has died, specifically one without a current marital attachment. The term primarily denotes a woman in the social status of widowhood, but may extend to connote a woman who, through the absence or loss of her husband, is left without male support or social standing. In some contexts, the word may embody not only bereavement but also the economic and social vulnerability often associated with widowhood in ancient Mediterranean societies.

Semantic Range

a woman whose spouse has died, widow; a woman lacking a husband; a woman left without male support or protection; metaphorically, one deprived or bereft

Root / Etymology

Related to the base of χήν, 'deprived,' possibly connected to χάνω ('to lack, to be bereft'); the precise etymology remains uncertain but centers on the notion of loss or deprivation. Feminine form υποφαινόμενον from a root signifying deficiency or lack.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, χήρα was used for a woman whose husband had died, with no necessary implication of age, status, or remarriage. In the Septuagint, χήρα renders Hebrew אַלְמָנָה ('almānāh'), emphasizing vulnerability without a patriarchal protector. In the New Testament and surrounding Greco-Roman culture, the term carries strong social and legal implications: widows were often identified as a distinct social class deserving (or requiring) communal support, and their treatment became a marker of justice and piety. The term could, in some literary or figurative uses, be applied to personified entities perceived as 'bereft.' English translations as 'widow' generally capture the term's basic referent, but sometimes obscure nuances of legal consequence, economic vulnerability, and social status inherent in the term's ancient use.

Translation Consistency

primary "widow" 27 occurrences

χήρα is a noun naming a woman whose spouse has died; the most natural, frequent English equivalent across contexts is "widow." This single base word covers the literal social status and can be inflected (widows, widow's) or used metaphorically as needed. Alternatives like "bereft" are adjectival and less suitable for consistent noun rendering.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of χάσμα through the idea of deficiency; a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively:--widow.

Root Family

χήρα (chēra) — to lack, to be bereft, to be deprived

Root χηρ- to lack, to be bereft, to be deprived

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5503-01 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman widow 10
G5503-05 χήρας cheras N ACC F PL widows bereft women widows 6
G5503-02 χῆραι cherai N NOM F PL widows bereft women widows 3
G5503-06 χηρῶν cheron N GEN F PL widows of bereft women widows 3
G5503-04 χήραν cheran N ACC F SG widow a bereft widow a widowed woman 3
G5503-03 χήραις cherais N DAT F PL widows to widows widows 2

Occurrences in Scripture

27 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5503-06 Matthew 23:14 χηρῶν cheron N GEN F PL widows of bereft women widows
G5503-06 Mark 12:40 χηρῶν cheron N GEN F PL widows of bereft women widows
G5503-01 Mark 12:42 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman widow
G5503-01 Mark 12:43 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman a widow
G5503-01 Luke 2:37 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman widow
G5503-02 Luke 4:25 χῆραι cherai N NOM F PL widows bereft women widows
G5503-04 Luke 4:26 χήραν cheran N ACC F SG widow a bereft widow a widowed woman
G5503-01 Luke 7:12 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman a widow
G5503-01 Luke 18:3 χήρα chera N NOM F SG widow bereft woman widow
G5503-04 Luke 18:5 χήραν cheran N ACC F SG widow a bereft widow a widowed woman
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