5503. chéra

Lexicon

chéra: Widow

Original Word: χήρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: chéra
Pronunciation: KHAY-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-rah)
Definition: Widow
Meaning: a widow.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

widow.

Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively -- widow.

see GREEK chasma

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a widow
NASB Translation
widow (13), widows (11), widows' (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5503: χήρα

χήρα, χήρας, ἡ (feminine of the adjective χῆρος, 'bereft'; akin to χέρσος, sterile, barren, and the Latincareo (but cf. Curtius, § 192)), from Homer, Iliad 6, 408 down, the Sept. for אַלְמָנָה, a widow: Matthew 23:14-13Rec.; Mark 12:40, 42; Luke 2:37; Luke 4:25; Luke 7:12; Luke 18:3, 5; Luke 20:47; Luke 21:2; Acts 6:1; Acts 9:39, 41; 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Timothy 5:3-5, 9, 11, 16; James 1:27; with γυνή added (2 Samuel 14:5, and often in the Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 2, 289 down), Luke 4:26; a city stripped of inhabitants and riches is represented under the figure of a widow, Revelation 18:7.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of χήρος (chēros), meaning "bereft" or "destitute."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 490 (אַלְמָנָה, 'almanah): The Hebrew term for widow, used frequently in the Old Testament to describe women who have lost their husbands and are often in need of protection and provision.
• Strong's Hebrew 488 (אַלְמָן, 'alman): A related term meaning "widower" or "bereaved," though less commonly used than its feminine counterpart.

The biblical mandate to care for widows reflects a consistent theme of compassion and justice, urging believers to embody God's love through tangible acts of service and support for those in need.

Usage: The term χήρα is used in the New Testament to refer to widows, often highlighting their social and economic vulnerability. It appears in contexts that emphasize care for widows and their inclusion in the community of believers.

Context: The term χήρα (chēra) is significant in the New Testament, appearing in various passages that underscore the early Christian community's responsibility towards widows. In the cultural context of the first century, widows were often left without financial support or social standing, making them particularly vulnerable. The New Testament reflects a deep concern for their welfare, aligning with the broader biblical tradition of caring for the marginalized.

In the Gospels, Jesus condemns those who exploit widows, as seen in Mark 12:40, where He criticizes the scribes who "devour widows' houses." This reflects a broader prophetic tradition that denounces injustice against the defenseless (cf. Isaiah 1:17).

The early church took specific measures to support widows, as evidenced in Acts 6:1, where the distribution of food to widows becomes a point of contention, leading to the appointment of deacons to ensure fair treatment. This highlights the community's commitment to social justice and care for its members.

Paul's epistles provide further instructions regarding widows. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Paul outlines criteria for enrolling widows in church support, emphasizing the importance of family responsibility and the church's role in caring for those truly in need. He advises that younger widows remarry to avoid idleness and potential gossip.

The care for widows is a reflection of God's character, as He is described as a defender of widows in the Old Testament (Psalm 68:5). The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to practice "pure and undefiled religion" by visiting "orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27).

Forms and Transliterations

εχήρευσεν χηρα χήρα χηραι χήραι χήραί χῆραι χηραις χήραις χηραν χήραν χηρας χήρας χηρεία χηρείας χηρεύσεως χηρων χηρών χηρῶν chera chēra chḗra cherai chêrai chērai chē̂rai cherais chērais chḗrais cheran chēran chḗran cheras chēras chḗras cheron cherôn chērōn chērō̂n

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 23:14 Noun-GFP
GRK: οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν καὶ προφάσει
KJV: for ye devour widows' houses, and
INT: houses of widows and as a pretext

Mark 12:40 N-GFP
GRK: οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν καὶ προφάσει
NAS: who devour widows' houses,
KJV: Which devour widows' houses, and
INT: houses of the widows and as a pretext

Mark 12:42 N-NFS
GRK: ἐλθοῦσα μία χήρα πτωχὴ ἔβαλεν
NAS: A poor widow came and put
KJV: poor widow, and she threw in
INT: having come one widow poor cast [in]

Mark 12:43 N-NFS
GRK: ὅτι ἡ χήρα αὕτη ἡ
NAS: to you, this poor widow put in more
KJV: this poor widow hath cast more
INT: that the widow this

Luke 2:37 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ αὐτὴ χήρα ἕως ἐτῶν
NAS: and then as a widow to the age
KJV: she [was] a widow of about
INT: and she [was] a widow about years

Luke 4:25 N-NFP
GRK: ὑμῖν πολλαὶ χῆραι ἦσαν ἐν
NAS: there were many widows in Israel
KJV: a truth, many widows were in
INT: to you many widows were in

Luke 4:26 N-AFS
GRK: πρὸς γυναῖκα χήραν
NAS: to a woman who was a widow.
KJV: unto a woman [that was] a widow.
INT: to a woman widow

Luke 7:12 N-NFS
GRK: αὐτὴ ἦν χήρα καὶ ὄχλος
NAS: of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable
KJV: she was a widow: and much
INT: she was a widow and a crowd

Luke 18:3 N-NFS
GRK: χήρα δὲ ἦν
NAS: There was a widow in that city,
KJV: And there was a widow in that
INT: A widow moreover there was

Luke 18:5 N-AFS
GRK: κόπον τὴν χήραν ταύτην ἐκδικήσω
NAS: this widow bothers
KJV: because this widow troubleth me,
INT: trouble the widow this I will avenge

Luke 20:47 N-GFP
GRK: οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν καὶ προφάσει
NAS: devour widows' houses,
KJV: Which devour widows' houses, and
INT: houses of the widows and as a pretext

Luke 21:2 N-AFS
GRK: δέ τινα χήραν πενιχρὰν βάλλουσαν
NAS: And He saw a poor widow putting in two
KJV: poor widow casting
INT: moreover a certain widow poor casting

Luke 21:3 N-NFS
GRK: ὅτι ἡ χήρα αὕτη ἡ
NAS: to you, this poor widow put in more
KJV: this poor widow hath cast in more than
INT: that the widow this

Acts 6:1 N-NFP
GRK: καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν
NAS: because their widows were being overlooked
KJV: because their widows were neglected in
INT: daily the widows of them

Acts 9:39 N-NFP
GRK: πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ
NAS: and all the widows stood beside
KJV: and all the widows stood by him
INT: all the widows weeping and

Acts 9:41 N-AFP
GRK: καὶ τὰς χήρας παρέστησεν αὐτὴν
NAS: the saints and widows, he presented
KJV: the saints and widows, presented her
INT: and the widows he presented her

1 Corinthians 7:8 N-DFP
GRK: καὶ ταῖς χήραις καλὸν αὐτοῖς
NAS: to the unmarried and to widows that it is good
KJV: and widows, It is
INT: and to the widows [it is] good for them

1 Timothy 5:3 N-AFP
GRK: Χήρας τίμα τὰς
NAS: Honor widows who are widows indeed;
KJV: Honour widows that are widows indeed.
INT: Widows highly value that [are]

1 Timothy 5:3 N-AFP
GRK: τὰς ὄντως χήρας
NAS: Honor widows who are widows indeed;
KJV: Honour widows that are widows indeed.
INT: that [are] indeed widows

1 Timothy 5:4 N-NFS
GRK: δέ τις χήρα τέκνα ἢ
NAS: but if any widow has children
KJV: But if any widow have children
INT: moreover any widow children or

1 Timothy 5:5 N-NFS
GRK: δὲ ὄντως χήρα καὶ μεμονωμένη
NAS: Now she who is a widow indeed
KJV: Now she that is a widow indeed, and
INT: moreover indeed a widow and left alone

1 Timothy 5:9 N-NFS
GRK: Χήρα καταλεγέσθω μὴ
NAS: A widow is to be put on the list
KJV: not a widow be taken into the number
INT: A widow let be enrolled not

1 Timothy 5:11 N-AFP
GRK: νεωτέρας δὲ χήρας παραιτοῦ ὅταν
NAS: [to put] younger widows [on the list], for when
KJV: But the younger widows refuse: for
INT: younger however widows refuse when

1 Timothy 5:16 N-AFP
GRK: πιστὴ ἔχει χήρας ἐπαρκείτω αὐταῖς
NAS: has [dependent] widows, she must assist
KJV: have widows, let them relieve
INT: believing [woman] have widows let impart relief to them

1 Timothy 5:16 N-DFP
GRK: ταῖς ὄντως χήραις ἐπαρκέσῃ
NAS: those who are widows indeed.
KJV: it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
INT: to the truly [needy] widows it might impart relief

Strong's Greek 5503
27 Occurrences

χήρα — 10 Occ.
χῆραι — 3 Occ.
χήραις — 2 Occ.
χήραν — 3 Occ.
χήρας — 6 Occ.
χηρῶν — 3 Occ.