Strong's Lexicon pséphos: Pebble, stone, vote Original Word: ψῆφος Word Origin: From the base of ψάω (psaō), meaning "to rub" or "to touch lightly." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "pséphos," the concept of casting lots or making decisions can be related to Hebrew terms like גּוֹרָל (goral), which refers to a lot or portion. Usage: The term "pséphos" primarily refers to a small stone or pebble. In ancient times, these pebbles were used for counting or making decisions, such as casting votes. In the New Testament, "pséphos" is used metaphorically to signify a decision or judgment. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, pebbles were commonly used in voting processes. Citizens would cast a white stone to signify approval or a black stone for disapproval. This practice was prevalent in legal and civic contexts, where decisions were made collectively. The use of stones for voting highlights the communal and participatory nature of decision-making in ancient societies. HELPS Word-studies 5586 psḗphos – properly, a pebble used in ancient elections to vote; hence, a vote (Souter). [People in ancient times often voted by casting stones. A white stone typically meant "yes" and a black stone "no."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as psalló Definition a small smooth stone, a pebble NASB Translation stone (2), vote (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5586: ψῆφοςψῆφος, ψηφου, ἡ (from ψάω, see ψάλλω), a small, worn, smooth stone; pebble (from Pindar, Herodotus down; (in Homer ψηφίς)); 1. since in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and acquitted by white (cf. Passow, under the word, ψῆφος, 2 c, vol. ii, p. 2574b; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, 4 d.); Ovid. met. 15, 41; (Plutarch, Alcib. 22, 2)), and a man on his acquittal was spoken of as νικησας (Theophrastus, char. 17 (19), 3) and the ψῆφος acquitting Dim called νικητήριος (Heliodorus 3, 3 under the end), Christ promises that to the one who has gained eternal life by coming off conqueror over temptation (τῷ νικουντι (A. V. to him that overcometh)) he will give ψῆφον λευκήν, Revelation 2:17; but the figure is explained differently by different interpretations; cf. Düsterdieck (or Lee in the 'Speaker's Commentary') at the passage; (B. D. under the word, Stones, 8). Ewald (Die Johann. Schriften, ii., p. 136; (cf. Lee as above; Plumptre in B. D. under the word, Hospitality, at the end)) understnads it to be the tessera hospitalis (cf. Rich, Dict. of Antiq., under the word, Tessera, 3; Becker, Charicles, namely, i. note 17), which on being shown secures admission to the enjoyment of the heavenly manna; the Greek name, however, for this tessera, is not ψῆφος, but σύμβολον. 2. a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting): καταφέρω (which see), Acts 26:10. From the same as pselaphao; a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), i.e. (by implication, of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote -- stone, voice. see GREEK pselaphao Englishman's Concordance Acts 26:10 N-AFSGRK: αὐτῶν κατήνεγκα ψῆφον NAS: I cast my vote against KJV: I gave my voice against [them]. INT: they I cast against [them] a vote Revelation 2:17 N-AFS Revelation 2:17 N-AFS |
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