Lexical Summary sémeron: Today Original Word: σήμερον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance this day. Neuter (as adverb) of a presumed compound of the article ho (t changed to s) and hemera; on the (i.e. This) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. At present, hitherto) -- this (to-)day. see GREEK ho see GREEK hemera NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from hémera with a prefixed s- (from a prim. stem meaning this) Definition today NASB Translation last night (1), this (1), this day (6), this very (2), today (29), today's (1), very (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4594: σήμερονσήμερον (Attic τήμερον, i. e. ἡμέρα with pronominal prefix (Sanskritsa); cf. Vanicek, p. 971), adverb, from Homer down, the Sept. for הַיום, today, this day: Matthew 6:11; Matthew 16:3 (T brackets WH reject the passage); Luke 4:21; Luke 19:5; Acts 4:9; Acts 13:33, etc.; also where the speaker refers to the night just passed, Matthew 27:19; equivalent to this night (now current), Luke 2:11; σήμερον ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτί, Mark 14:30; ἕως σήμερον, 2 Corinthians 3:15; opposed to αὔριον, Matthew 6:30; Luke 12:28; Luke 13:32; James 4:13; χθές καί σήμερον καί εἰς τούς αἰῶνας, a rhetorical periphrasis for ἀεί, Hebrews 13:8; ἡ σήμερον ἡμέρα, this (very) day, Acts 20:26; ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, Romans 11:8; μέχρι τῆς σήμερον namely, ἡμέρας, Matthew 11:23; Matthew 28:15; ἕως τῆς σήμερον, Matthew 27:8; ἄχρι ... τῆς σήμερον (where L T Tr WH add ἡμέρας), 2 Corinthians 3:14; ἡ σήμερον, equivalent to what has happened today (others render concerning this day's riot; Buttmann, § 133, 9; but see Meyer at the passage; Winer's Grammar, § 30, 9 a.), Acts 19:40; τό σήμερον, the word today, Hebrews 3:13; as a substantive: ὁρίζει ἡμέραν, σήμερον, a today (meaning, 'a time for embracing the salvation graciously offered' (cf. R. V. marginal reading)), Hebrews 4:7a. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4594 (σήμερον) conveys the immediacy of “today, this very day.” In the New Testament it summons people to present faith, obedience, and gratitude, while anchoring those imperatives in the finished and ongoing work of Jesus Christ. Forty-one occurrences span Gospel narration, the words of Christ, apostolic preaching, and exhortations to believers. Temporal immediacy in Scripture σήμερον presses the listener or reader toward decisive action now. Whether Jesus urges Zacchaeus to hurry down from the sycamore (Luke 19:5) or the writer to Hebrews implores the church not to harden their hearts (Hebrews 3:7-15), “today” marks a God-given window that must not be presumed upon or postponed. Daily dependence on God • Matthew 6:11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The Lord’s Prayer frames every twenty-four hours as a fresh occasion for humble reliance on the Father’s provision. Fulfilment of prophecy and inauguration of salvation • Luke 2:11: “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!” The angelic announcement declares the long-awaited Messianic promise realized in real time. Call to repentance and obedience Psalm 95’s refrain dominates Hebrews 3–4: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” The repetition intensifies the peril of procrastination: while the promise of rest stands open, responsiveness cannot be deferred. Continuous unbelief can close the very “today” that God mercifully extends. Assurance of eternal destiny Luke 23:43: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” The dying criminal receives immediate assurance, revealing that present faith secures instant fellowship with Christ beyond death. The verse balances warnings elsewhere by exhibiting grace’s readiness to save at the eleventh hour. Stability and unchangeableness of Christ Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The word that summons urgent decision simultaneously grounds that urgency in Christ’s unalterable character. Because the Savior does not change, believers may face each new “today” with settled confidence. Apostolic testimony and ongoing witness σήμερον threads through Acts as the apostles defend the faith before rulers (Acts 4:9; 24:21; 26:2, 29) and through Paul’s travel narratives (Acts 27:33). The term locates gospel proclamation in recognizable history, reinforcing that Christianity is not abstract philosophy but God’s action in verifiable time. Practical ministry implications 1. Preaching should press hearers toward immediate trust and obedience, reflecting the New Testament pattern. Selected occurrences for further study Matthew 6:11; Luke 2:11; Luke 4:21; Luke 19:9; Luke 23:43; Acts 4:9; Acts 13:33; 2 Corinthians 3:14-15; Hebrews 3:7-15; Hebrews 4:7; Hebrews 13:8; James 4:13. Forms and Transliterations σημερον σήμερον σήμερόν semeron sēmeron sḗmeronLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:11 AdvGRK: δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον NAS: Give us this day our daily bread. KJV: Give us this day our daily INT: give us today Matthew 6:30 Adv Matthew 11:23 Adv Matthew 16:3 Adv Matthew 21:28 Adv Matthew 27:8 Adv Matthew 27:19 Adv Matthew 28:15 Adv Mark 14:30 Adv Luke 2:11 Adv Luke 4:21 Adv Luke 5:26 Adv Luke 12:28 Adv Luke 13:32 Adv Luke 13:33 Adv Luke 19:5 Adv Luke 19:9 Adv Luke 22:34 Adv Luke 22:61 Adv Luke 23:43 Adv Acts 4:9 Adv Acts 13:33 Adv Acts 19:40 Adv Acts 20:26 Adv Acts 22:3 Adv |
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