Strong's Lexicon ainigma: Riddle, enigma, obscure saying Original Word: αἴνιγμα Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb αἰνίσσομαι (ainissomai), meaning "to speak in riddles" or "to hint." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H2420 (חִידָה, chiydah): Meaning "riddle" or "dark saying," used in the Old Testament to describe enigmatic or mysterious statements, such as in Judges 14:12 and Proverbs 1:6. Usage: The term "ainigma" refers to something that is puzzling or difficult to understand, akin to a riddle or an enigmatic statement. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the partial and indirect nature of human understanding of divine truths. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, riddles and enigmatic sayings were common in literature and oral traditions. They were often used by philosophers and teachers to provoke thought and deeper understanding. The use of "ainigma" in the New Testament reflects this cultural context, emphasizing the limited and indirect nature of human comprehension of spiritual realities. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ainissomai (to speak in riddles) Definition a riddle NASB Translation dimly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 135: αἴνιγμααἴνιγμα, (τος, τό (common from (Pindar fragment 165 (190)) Aeschylus down; from αἰνίσσομαι or αἰνίττομαι τί, to express something obscurely (from αἶνος, which see)); 1. an obscure saying, an enigma, Hebrew חִידָה (Judges 14:13, the Sept. πρόβλημα). 2. an obscure thing: 1 Corinthians 13:12, where ἐν αἰνίγματι is not equivalent to αἰνιγματικῶς, i. e., ἀμαυρῶς obscurely, but denotes the object in the discerning of which we are engaged, as βλέπειν ἐν τίνι, Matthew 6:4; cf. DeWette at the passage; the apostle has in mind Numbers 12:8 the Sept.: ἐν εἴδει καί οὐ δἰ αἰνιγμάτων. (Others take ἐν locally, of the sphere in which we are looking; others refer the passage to 1. and take ἐν instrumentally.) From a derivative of ainos (in its primary sense); an obscure saying ("enigma"), i.e. (abstractly) obscureness -- X darkly. see GREEK ainos Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 13:12 N-DNSGRK: ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι τότε δὲ NAS: in a mirror dimly, but then INT: a glass in obscurity then moreover |
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