3897. paraplésios

Lexicon

paraplésios: Similar, resembling, nearly

Original Word: παραπλήσιος
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: paraplésios
Pronunciation: pah-rah-PLAY-see-os
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap-lay'-see-on)
Definition: Similar, resembling, nearly
Meaning: near to, nearly.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

nigh unto.

Neuter of a compound of para and the base of plesion (as adverb); close by, i.e. (figuratively) almost -- nigh unto.

see GREEK para

see GREEK plesion

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from a comp. of para and the same as plésion
Definition
coming near, nearly resembling
NASB Translation
point (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3897: παραπλήσιον

παραπλήσιον (neuter of the adjective παραπλήσιος), adverb, near to, almost to: ἠσθένησεν παραπλήσιον θανάτῳ (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6), Philippians 2:27. (Thucydides 7, 19; in like manner, Polybius)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from παρά (para, "beside") and πλησίον (plēsion, "near" or "close").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for παραπλήσιος, the concept of similarity or likeness can be found in Hebrew words such as דָּמָה (damah, Strong's Hebrew 1819), which means "to resemble" or "to be like." Another related term is כָּמוֹ (kamo, Strong's Hebrew 3644), meaning "like" or "as," used to draw comparisons or analogies in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: This Greek word is used in the New Testament to describe something that is similar or comparable to something else. It is used to convey the idea of likeness or resemblance.

Context: • Contextual Analysis: The word παραπλήσιος appears in the New Testament in contexts where a comparison is being made between two entities or situations. It is used to highlight the similarity or resemblance between them, often to draw a parallel or to make an analogy.
• Biblical Example: In the Berean Standard Bible, παραπλήσιος is found in Hebrews 2:14: "Therefore, since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil." Here, the term is used to describe the likeness of Christ's humanity to that of the children, emphasizing His full participation in human nature.
• Theological Significance: The use of παραπλήσιος in the New Testament underscores the importance of likeness in the context of Christ's incarnation. It highlights the theological truth that Jesus, while fully divine, took on human nature to fully identify with humanity and accomplish the work of salvation. This resemblance is crucial for understanding the doctrine of the hypostatic union, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man.
• Linguistic Notes: The construction of παραπλήσιος with its components παρά and πλησίον suggests a closeness or proximity in likeness, which is essential for understanding its application in scriptural contexts. It is often used in Greek literature to denote things that are not identical but share significant similarities.

Forms and Transliterations

παραπλησιον παραπλήσιον paraplesion paraplēsion paraplḗsion

Englishman's Concordance

Philippians 2:27 Adv
GRK: γὰρ ἠσθένησεν παραπλήσιον θανάτῳ ἀλλὰ
NAS: he was sick to the point of death,
KJV: he was sick nigh unto death:
INT: indeed he was sick like to death but

Strong's Greek 3897
1 Occurrence

παραπλήσιον — 1 Occ.