4491. rhiza

Lexicon

rhiza: Root

Original Word: ῥίζα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: rhiza
Pronunciation: HREE-zah
Phonetic Spelling: (hrid'-zah)
Definition: Root
Meaning: a root, shoot, source; that which comes from the root, a descendent.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

root.

Apparently a primary word; a "root" (literally or figuratively) -- root.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a root
NASB Translation
root (16), roots (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4491: ῤίζα

ῤίζα, ῤίζης, ἡ (akin to German Reis (cf. Latinradix; English root; see Curtius, § 515; Fick, Part 3:775)), from Homer down; the Sept. for שֹׁרֶשׁ;

1. a root: properly, Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9; ἐκ ῤιζῶν, from the roots (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 51, 1 d.), Mark 11:20; ῤίζαν ἔχειν, to strike deep root, Matthew 13:6; Mark 4:6; tropically, οὐ ῤίζαν ἔχειν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, spoken of one who has but a superficial experience of divine truth, has not permitted it to make its way into the inmost recesses of his soul, Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; Luke 8:13; in figurative discourse, ῤίζα πικρίας (see πικρία) of a person disposed to apostatize and induce others to commit the same offence, Hebrews 12:15; the progenitors of a race are called ῤίζα, their descendants κλάδοι (see κλάδος, b.), Romans 11:16-18. Metaphorically, cause, origin, source: πάντων τῶν κακῶν, 1 Timothy 6:10; τῆς σοφίας, Sir. 1:6 (5), 20 (18); τῆς ἀθανασίας, Wis. 15:3; τῆς ἁμαρτίας, of the devil, Ev. Nicod. 23; ἀρχή καί ῤίζα παντός ἀγαθοῦ, Epicur. quoted in Atlmn. 12, 67, p. 546f; πηγή καί ῤίζα καλοκἀγαθίας τό νομίμου τυχεῖν παιδείας, Plutarch, de purr. educ. c. 7 b.

2. after the use of the Hebrew שֹׁרֶשׁ, that which like a root springs from a root, a sprout, shoot; metaphorically, offspring, progeny: Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16 (Isaiah 11:10).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a primary root.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H8328 (שֹׁרֶשׁ, shoresh): This Hebrew word means "root" and is used similarly in the Old Testament to denote the source or origin of something, whether literal or metaphorical. It appears in passages like Isaiah 11:10, which speaks of the "root of Jesse," a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Christ.

By examining the usage of "ῥίζα" in the New Testament, one gains insight into the foundational truths of the Christian faith and the importance of spiritual roots in sustaining and nurturing believers.

Usage: The word "ῥίζα" appears in various contexts within the New Testament, often used metaphorically to describe foundational truths, sources of life, or origins of spiritual matters.

Context: The Greek word "ῥίζα" (rhiza) is used in the New Testament to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings. In its literal sense, it refers to the root of a plant, which is essential for nourishment and stability. This imagery is often employed to illustrate spiritual truths.

In the New Testament, "ῥίζα" is used to describe the foundational aspects of faith and life. For instance, in Romans 11:16-18, Paul uses the metaphor of a root to discuss the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, emphasizing the importance of the root in supporting the branches. He writes, "If the root is holy, so are the branches" (BSB).

The term also appears in Revelation 5:5 and 22:16, where Jesus is referred to as the "Root of David," highlighting His messianic lineage and divine origin. This title underscores Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and His foundational role in God's redemptive plan.

Additionally, in Hebrews 12:15, "ῥίζα" is used metaphorically to warn against a "root of bitterness" that can grow and cause trouble, illustrating how underlying issues can affect the entire community.

The concept of "ῥίζα" as a source or origin is significant in understanding the interconnectedness of biblical themes, where roots symbolize the unseen but vital aspects of spiritual life and heritage.

Forms and Transliterations

ριζα ρίζα ῥίζα ρίζαι ριζαν ρίζαν ῥίζαν ριζας ρίζας ριζης ρίζης ῥίζης ριζων ριζών ῥιζῶν rhiza rhíza rhizan rhízan rhizes rhizēs rhízes rhízēs rhizon rhizôn rhizōn rhizō̂n riza rizan rizes rizēs rizon rizōn

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 3:10 N-AFS
GRK: πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων
NAS: laid at the root of the trees;
KJV: unto the root of the trees:
INT: to the root of the trees

Matthew 13:6 N-AFS
GRK: μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη
NAS: they had no root, they withered away.
KJV: they had no root, they withered away.
INT: not having root were dried up

Matthew 13:21 N-AFS
GRK: ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ
NAS: no [firm] root in himself,
KJV: hath he not root in himself,
INT: he has moreover root in himself

Mark 4:6 N-AFS
GRK: μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη
NAS: it had no root, it withered away.
KJV: it had no root, it withered away.
INT: no having root it withered away

Mark 4:17 N-AFS
GRK: οὐκ ἔχουσιν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς
NAS: no [firm] root in themselves,
KJV: have no root in themselves,
INT: not have root in themselves

Mark 11:20 N-GFP
GRK: ἐξηραμμένην ἐκ ῥιζῶν
NAS: withered from the roots [up].
KJV: dried up from the roots.
INT: dried up from [the] roots

Luke 3:9 N-AFS
GRK: πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων
NAS: laid at the root of the trees;
KJV: unto the root of the trees:
INT: to the root of the trees

Luke 8:13 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ οὗτοι ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν
NAS: no [firm] root; they believe
KJV: have no root, which for
INT: and these a root not have

Romans 11:16 N-NFS
GRK: εἰ ἡ ῥίζα ἁγία καὶ
NAS: and if the root is holy,
KJV: [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so
INT: if the root [be] holy also

Romans 11:17 N-GFS
GRK: συνκοινωνὸς τῆς ῥίζης τῆς πιότητος
NAS: with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
KJV: them partakest of the root and fatness
INT: a fellow-partaker of the root of the fatness

Romans 11:18 N-AFS
GRK: σὺ τὴν ῥίζαν βαστάζεις ἀλλὰ
NAS: [remember that] it is not you who supports the root, but the root
KJV: bearest not the root, but the root
INT: you the root support but

Romans 11:18 N-NFS
GRK: ἀλλὰ ἡ ῥίζα σέ
NAS: the root, but the root [supports] you.
KJV: the root, but the root thee.
INT: but the root you

Romans 15:12 N-NFS
GRK: Ἔσται ἡ ῥίζα τοῦ Ἰεσσαί
NAS: THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,
KJV: There shall be a root of Jesse,
INT: There will be the root of Jesse

1 Timothy 6:10 N-NFS
GRK: ῥίζα γὰρ πάντων
NAS: For the love of money is a root of all
KJV: is the root of all
INT: a root indeed of all

Hebrews 12:15 N-NFS
GRK: μή τις ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω
NAS: that no root of bitterness
KJV: lest any root of bitterness springing
INT: lest any root of bitterness up

Revelation 5:5 N-NFS
GRK: Ἰούδα ἡ ῥίζα Δαυίδ ἀνοῖξαι
NAS: of Judah, the Root of David,
KJV: of Juda, the Root of David,
INT: of Judah the root of David [so as] to open

Revelation 22:16 N-NFS
GRK: εἰμι ἡ ῥίζα καὶ τὸ
NAS: I am the root and the descendant
KJV: I am the root and the offspring
INT: am the root and the

Strong's Greek 4491
17 Occurrences

ῥίζα — 7 Occ.
ῥίζαν — 8 Occ.
ῥίζης — 1 Occ.
ῥιζῶν — 1 Occ.