2083. hetairos

Lexicon

hetairos: Companion, friend, comrade

Original Word: ἑταῖρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: hetairos
Pronunciation: heh-TIE-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (het-ah'-ee-ros)
Definition: Companion, friend, comrade
Meaning: a companion, comrade, friend.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

companion, friend.

From etes (a clansman); a comrade -- fellow, friend.

HELPS Word-studies

2083 hetaíros – properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind.

2083 /hetaíros ("supposed friend") suggests someone viewed (associated) as a friend, but is actually an imposter acting for self-gain.

[Note the textual confusion about this term with 2087 /héteros at Mt 11:16.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from etés (clansman, cousin)
Definition
a companion
NASB Translation
friend (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2083: ἑταῖρος

ἑταῖρος, ἑταίρου, ὁ (from Homer down), the Sept. רֵעַ ; a comrade, mate, partner (A. V. fellow): Matthew 11:16 (where T Tr WH τοῖς ἑτέροις (which see 1 b., and cf. WH. Introductory § 404)); vocative in kindly address, friend (my good friend): Matthew 20:13; Matthew 22:12; Matthew 26:50.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a root word meaning "to associate" or "to be a companion."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἑταῖρος, similar concepts of companionship and friendship can be found in Hebrew words such as רֵעַ (rea, Strong's Hebrew 7453), which means "friend" or "companion," and חָבֵר (chaver, Strong's Hebrew 2270), meaning "associate" or "companion." These terms similarly convey the idea of fellowship and association in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: The term ἑταῖρος is used in the New Testament to refer to someone who is a companion or associate, often in a context that implies a close or significant relationship. It appears in contexts where the nature of companionship or fellowship is highlighted.

Context: The Greek word ἑταῖρος (hetairos) appears in the New Testament primarily in the Gospel of Matthew. It is used in contexts that emphasize companionship or association, often with a nuance of irony or betrayal. For instance, in Matthew 20:13, the term is used in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where the landowner addresses one of the workers as "friend" (ἑταῖρε) when explaining the fairness of his wages: "But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?’" (BSB).

Another significant usage is found in Matthew 22:12, in the parable of the wedding banquet, where the king addresses a guest without wedding clothes as "friend": "‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless." (BSB). This usage underscores the expectation of proper conduct within the context of fellowship.

The most poignant use of ἑταῖρος is in Matthew 26:50, during the betrayal of Jesus by Judas: "Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him." (BSB). Here, the term is laden with irony, as Judas's actions are the antithesis of true friendship.

The use of ἑταῖρος in these passages highlights the complexity of human relationships and the expectations of loyalty and integrity within them. It serves as a reminder of the deeper spiritual and moral implications of companionship in the biblical narrative.

Forms and Transliterations

Εταιρε εταίρε Ἑταῖρε εταίροι εταίροις εταίρος εταίρου εταίρους εταίρων έτασίν έτασις ετασμοίς Etaire Hetaire Hetaîre

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 20:13 N-VMS
GRK: αὐτῶν εἶπεν Ἑταῖρε οὐκ ἀδικῶ
NAS: to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing
KJV: of them, and said, Friend, I do thee
INT: of them he said Friend not I do wrong

Matthew 22:12 N-VMS
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ἑταῖρε πῶς εἰσῆλθες
NAS: and he said to him, 'Friend, how
KJV: unto him, Friend, how
INT: he says to him Friend how did you enter

Matthew 26:50 N-VMS
GRK: εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἑταῖρε ἐφ' ὃ
NAS: said to him, Friend, [do] what
KJV: unto him, Friend, wherefore
INT: said to him Friend for what [purpose]

Strong's Greek 2083
3 Occurrences

Ἑταῖρε — 3 Occ.