4117. plegma

Lexicon

plegma: Braid, plait, woven thing

Original Word: πλέγμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: plegma
Pronunciation: PLEG-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (pleg'-mah)
Definition: Braid, plait, woven thing
Meaning: braided hair, anything interwoven.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

braided hair

From pleko; a plait (of hair) -- broidered hair.

see GREEK pleko

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from plekó
Definition
a braiding
NASB Translation
braided hair (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4117: πλέγμα

πλέγμα, πλεγματος, τό (πλέκω), what is woven, plaited, or twisted together; a web, plait, braid: used thus of a net, Xenophon, Cyril 1, 6, 28; of a basket, Euripides, Plato; πλέγμα βιβλινον in which the infant Moses was laid, Josephus, Antiquities 2, 9, 4; by other writings in other senses. Braided hair (Vulg.crines torti, ringlets, curls): 1 Timothy 2:9 (cf. 1 Peter 3:3).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb πλέκω (pleko), meaning "to weave" or "to braid."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πλέγμα in the Old Testament. However, the concept of modesty and appropriate adornment can be related to various Hebrew terms that emphasize humility and simplicity, such as עָנָו (anav, Strong's Hebrew 6035), meaning "humble" or "meek."

Usage: The word πλέγμα appears in the New Testament in the context of describing elaborate hairstyles, specifically in 1 Timothy 2:9.

Context: • The Greek term πλέγμα is found in the New Testament in 1 Timothy 2:9, where the Apostle Paul addresses the conduct and appearance of women in the church. The verse reads: "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes." (BSB)
• In this passage, πλέγμα is translated as "braided hair," indicating a cultural practice of elaborate hairstyling that was prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. The emphasis in this verse is on modesty and propriety, suggesting that women should focus on inner beauty and godliness rather than external adornment.
• The use of πλέγμα in this context reflects a broader biblical theme of humility and simplicity in personal appearance, aligning with the values of modesty and self-control. The cultural backdrop of the time often associated elaborate hairstyles and expensive adornments with wealth and social status, which could lead to distractions or divisions within the Christian community.
• The instruction in 1 Timothy 2:9 is not a blanket prohibition against styling hair but rather a call to prioritize spiritual virtues over outward appearances. It serves as a reminder of the importance of focusing on one's character and relationship with God.

Forms and Transliterations

πλεγμασιν πλέγμασιν πλειστάκις plegmasin plégmasin

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 2:9 N-DNP
GRK: μὴ ἐν πλέγμασιν καὶ χρυσίῳ
NAS: and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold
KJV: not with broided hair, or gold,
INT: not with braided hair or gold

Strong's Greek 4117
1 Occurrence

πλέγμασιν — 1 Occ.