4745. stoa

Lexicon

stoa: Portico, Colonnade

Original Word: στοά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: stoa
Pronunciation: sto-ah'
Phonetic Spelling: (sto-ah')
Definition: Portico, Colonnade
Meaning: a colonnade, portico.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

porch, colonnade

Probably from histemi; a colonnade or interior piazza -- porch.

see GREEK histemi

HELPS Word-studies

4745 stoá – a pillar, supporting a covered-colonnade (like in the Temple precinct); a portico, usually open on one side so people could congregate and talk.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a portico
NASB Translation
portico (3), porticoes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4745: στοά

στοά, στοάς, ἡ, a portico, a covered colonnade where people can stand or walk protected from the weather and the heat of the sun: John 5:2; στοά Σολομῶνος, a porch or portico built by Solomon in the eastern part of the temple (which in the temple's destruction by the Babylonians was left uninjured, and remained down to the times of king Agrippa, to whom the care of the temple was intrusted by the emperor Claudius, and who on account of its antiquity did not dare to demolish and build it anew; so Josephus relates, Antiquities 20, 9, 7; (but on 'Solomon's Porch' cf. B. D., under the word (Solomon's Temple, at the end))): John 10:23; Acts 3:11; Acts 5:12.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb "στέγω" (stégō), meaning "to cover" or "to protect."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek term "στοά" does not have a direct Hebrew equivalent in the Strong's Concordance. However, it is conceptually related to Hebrew terms describing similar architectural features, such as "אולם" (ulam, Strong's Hebrew 197) which refers to a porch or vestibule, often used in the context of the Temple.

Usage: The term "στοά" is used in the New Testament to describe architectural features in Jerusalem, particularly in the context of the Temple. It is mentioned in relation to places where people gathered for teaching, discussion, or shelter.

Context: The term "στοά" appears in the New Testament in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. One of the most notable references is to Solomon's Colonnade, also known as Solomon's Porch, which was a prominent feature of the Temple complex. This colonnade was a covered area supported by columns, providing a space for teaching and gathering.

In the Book of Acts, the apostles frequently taught and performed miracles in Solomon's Colonnade. Acts 3:11 (BSB) states, "While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the colonnade called Solomon’s." This location was significant for early Christian preaching and community life, serving as a gathering place for believers.

The use of "στοά" in the New Testament highlights the architectural and social aspects of ancient Jewish and early Christian life. It reflects the importance of public spaces for religious and communal activities. The colonnades provided shelter and a venue for public discourse, making them integral to the cultural and religious landscape of the time.

Forms and Transliterations

εστοίβασεν εστοιβασμένη στοα στοά στοᾷ στοαί στοας στοάς στοὰς στοιβάσατέ στοιβάσει στοιβάσουσι stoa stoā̂i stoas stoàs

Englishman's Concordance

John 5:2 N-AFP
GRK: Βηθζαθά πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα
NAS: having five porticoes.
KJV: having five porches.
INT: Bethesda five porches having

John 10:23 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ στοᾷ τοῦ Σολομῶνος
NAS: in the temple in the portico of Solomon.
KJV: in Solomon's porch.
INT: in the porch of Solomon

Acts 3:11 N-DFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τῇ στοᾷ τῇ καλουμένῃ
NAS: to them at the so-called portico of Solomon,
KJV: in the porch that is called
INT: in the porch called

Acts 5:12 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ Στοᾷ Σολομῶντος
NAS: with one accord in Solomon's portico.
KJV: in Solomon's porch.
INT: in the porch of Solomon

Strong's Greek 4745
4 Occurrences

στοᾷ — 3 Occ.
στοὰς — 1 Occ.