The meaning of “ἱερόν”
Understanding hierón reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
neuter of ἱερός temple. - a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas ναός denotes the central sanctuary itself) ...
ἱερόν
neuter of ἱερός temple. - a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas ναός denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 21:14 | “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” Word: ἱερόν (hierón) | |
| Mark 12:35 | “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?” Word: ἱερόν (hierón) | |
| Luke 20:1 | “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,” Word: ἱερόν (hierón) | |
| John 8:2 | “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.” Word: ἱερόν (hierón) | |
| Acts 19:27 | “So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.” Word: ἱερόν (hierón) |
Theological Word Study: Temple
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Temple, palace
The Hebrew heikhal (הֵיכָל) denotes God's temple or palace—the sacred dwelling place where God's presence resided. Solomon's temple was the center of Israel's worship until its destruction.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Temple, sanctuary
The Greek naos (ναός) means temple or inner sanctuary. Paul declares believers are 'the temple of the living God' (2 Corinthians 6:16), individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and corporately as the church.