Lexical Summary edaphos: Ground, Earth, Surface Original Word: ἔδαφος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ground. From the base of hedraios; a basis (bottom), i.e. The soil -- ground. see GREEK hedraios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a basis, bottom, ground NASB Translation ground (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1475: ἔδαφοςἔδαφος, ἐδαφεος (ἐδάφους), τό, bottom, base, ground: πίπτειν εἰς τό ἔδαφος, Acts 22:7. (the Sept.; in classical writings from Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Literary Usage Strong’s Greek 1475, ἔδαφος (edaphos), denotes the solid ground, the surface on which one stands or upon which something rests. In classical Greek literature it could describe the floor of a house, the soil of a field, or the earth beneath one’s feet. The New Testament employs the word only once, yet the term’s ordinary meaning—literal, physical ground—carries a rich symbolic weight throughout Scripture. Context in Acts 22:7 Acts 22 records Paul’s courtroom testimony before a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. Retelling his Damascus Road encounter, Paul states, “I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’” (Acts 22:7). The lone appearance of ἔδαφος functions on two levels: 1. Narrative detail—Paul’s physical collapse under the brilliance of the risen Christ. Symbolism of Falling to the Ground Throughout Scripture, falling to the ground often accompanies divine revelation, judgment, or worship: • Ezekiel 1:28—Ezekiel falls facedown before the glory of the Lord. In each instance, the ground becomes the meeting place between holy transcendence and human frailty. Paul’s descent to the ἔδαφος signifies: • Humility before Christ. Historical and Cultural Insights In Greco-Roman culture, falling prostrate could denote reverence, supplication, or fear. By employing ἔδαφος rather than a more general term for “earth,” Luke highlights a concrete physical reality: the persecutor struck down on the roadway approaching Damascus. The courtroom audience in Jerusalem would grasp both the historical veracity and the implied divine endorsement of Paul’s apostleship. Old Testament Resonances Hebrew narratives often locate pivotal revelations at ground level: • Genesis 17:3—Abraham falls facedown as God reaffirms covenant promises. These parallels underscore continuity between Old and New Testament encounters with the Lord, reinforcing Luke’s presentation of Paul’s experience as part of the same redemptive story. Doctrinal Significance 1. Christology—The exalted Jesus exercises direct authority, confronting Paul from heaven yet compelling a reaction on earth. Ministry and Devotional Applications • Conversion Testimony—Acts 22:7 frames personal salvation as an encounter that levels human pride and raises the believer to new purpose. Related New Testament Vocabulary Though ἔδαφος appears only in Acts 22:7, other words for “ground” and “earth” (γῆ, χαμαί) surface in contexts of falling before God. Together they form a thematic tapestry of divine-human encounter. Summary ἔδαφος in Acts 22:7 is more than a topographical note; it frames the dramatic moment when Christ halts a persecutor’s advance, redirects the trajectory of early Christian mission, and illustrates the recurring biblical motif of God meeting His servants on the ground—where humility, revelation, and commissioning converge. Forms and Transliterations εδάφει εδαφος εδάφος έδαφος ἔδαφος εδάφους εδέσματα εδεσμάτων έδνα έδραι έδραις έδρας εδρασθήναι edaphos édaphosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |