4738. stéthos

Lexicon

stéthos: Breast, chest

Original Word: στῆθος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: stéthos
Pronunciation: STAY-thos
Phonetic Spelling: (stay'-thos)
Definition: Breast, chest
Meaning: the breast, chest.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

breast.

From histemi (as standing prominently); the (entire external) bosom, i.e. Chest -- breast.

see GREEK histemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
the breast
NASB Translation
bosom (2), breast (1), breasts (1), chests (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4738: στῆθος

στῆθος, στήθους, τό (from ἵστημι; that which stands out, is prominent (Etym. Magn. 727, 19 διότι ἕστηκεν ἀσάλευτον)), from Homer down, the breast: John 13:25; John 21:20 (cf. κόλπος, 1); Revelation 15:6. τύπτειν εἰς τό στῆθος or τύπτειν τό στῆθος, of mourners (see κόπτω), Luke 18:13; Luke 23:48.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of ἵστημι (histēmi), meaning "to stand" or "to set."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence between Greek and Hebrew terms for "chest" or "breast," similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words such as:

- חָזֶה (chazeh) • Referring to the breast or chest, often used in the context of sacrificial offerings (e.g., Leviticus 7:31).
- לֵב (lev) • While primarily meaning "heart," it is often used metaphorically to denote the seat of emotions, similar to how "στῆθος" can imply emotional depth.

These Hebrew terms, like "στῆθος," reflect the cultural understanding of the chest or heart as central to emotional and spiritual life.

Usage: In the New Testament, "στῆθος" is used to describe the physical chest or breast, often in contexts involving emotion, affection, or physical actions such as leaning or striking the chest.

Context: The Greek word "στῆθος" appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts that emphasize physical proximity or emotional expression. It is used to describe the chest or breast, a part of the body often associated with deep emotions and intimate actions.

One notable usage of "στῆθος" is found in the Gospel of John, where it describes the beloved disciple leaning on Jesus' chest during the Last Supper (John 13:25, BSB: "So he leaned back against Jesus and asked, 'Lord, who is it?'"). This imagery conveys a sense of closeness and trust, highlighting the intimate relationship between Jesus and His disciple.

Another significant occurrence is in the Gospel of Luke, where the tax collector, in a display of repentance and humility, beats his breast (Luke 18:13, BSB: "But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner!'"). Here, the act of striking the chest symbolizes deep contrition and an earnest plea for divine mercy.

The use of "στῆθος" in these contexts underscores the cultural and emotional significance of the chest as a seat of feelings and expressions of devotion or remorse. It serves as a physical representation of inner states, whether it be the closeness of a disciple to his teacher or the penitence of a sinner before God.

Forms and Transliterations

στήθει στήθεων στηθη στήθη στηθος στήθος στῆθος στήθους στηθύνια στηθύνιον στηθυνίου stethe stēthē stḗthe stḗthē stethos stêthos stēthos stē̂thos

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 18:13 N-ANS
GRK: ἔτυπτεν τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων
NAS: but was beating his breast, saying,
KJV: upon his breast, saying, God
INT: was striking the breast of himself saying

Luke 23:48 N-ANP
GRK: τύπτοντες τὰ στήθη ὑπέστρεφον
NAS: beating their breasts.
KJV: smote their breasts, and returned.
INT: beating the breasts returned [home]

John 13:25 N-ANS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος τοῦ Ἰησοῦ
NAS: on Jesus' bosom, said
KJV: lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him,
INT: on the breast of Jesus

John 21:20 N-ANS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: had leaned back on His bosom at the supper
KJV: on his breast at supper,
INT: on the bosom of him and

Revelation 15:6 N-ANP
GRK: περὶ τὰ στήθη ζώνας χρυσᾶς
NAS: around their chests with golden
KJV: and having their breasts girded
INT: about the breasts sashes golden

Strong's Greek 4738
5 Occurrences

στήθη — 2 Occ.
στῆθος — 3 Occ.