UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: tongue

Semantic entry: 8.21

Semantic domains: Body, Body Parts, and Body Products

Subdomains: Parts of the Body

Definition: organ in the mouth used for speaking and eating

Notes: Though in RV JAM 3:5 · LV JAM 3:5 · Read together JAM 3:5 the tongue is referred to as a part of the body, it is used essentially as a symbol for speech, and since in some languages the tongue is not regarded as an organ of speech, but simply as a part of the mouth, it may be necessary to change the expression to read ‘the mouth is a small member of the body’ or ‘speaking is only a small part of one’s life.’ It is obviously not the tongue as an organ which corrupts the whole person, but the capacity for speech which has such a corrupting effect.

Sense 2: language, dialect, speech

Semantic entry: 33.2

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Language

Definition: a language, with the possible implication of its distinctive form

Notes: The miracle described in RV ACT 2:4 · LV ACT 2:4 · Read together ACT 2:4 may have been a miracle of speaking or a miracle of hearing, but at any rate people understood fully, and therefore it seems appropriate in this context to speak of ‘languages’ in contrast with RV CO1 14:2 · LV CO1 14:2 · Read together CO1 14:2, in which case people required an interpreter if they were to receive the presumed content of the speech (see 33.3: γλῶσσα).

Sense 3: ecstatic language, tongue, ecstatic speech

Semantic entry: 33.3

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Language

Definition: an utterance having the form of language but requiring an inspired interpreter for an understanding of the content

Notes: Most scholars assume that the phenomena described in RV ACT 2:4 · LV ACT 2:4 · Read together ACT 2:4 (see 33.2: γλῶσσα) and in RV CO1 14:2 · LV CO1 14:2 · Read together CO1 14:2 are significantly different in that in one instance people understood in their own regional language or dialect and in the other instance an interpreter was required. It is for that reason that many interpret γλῶσσα in RV CO1 14:2 · LV CO1 14:2 · Read together CO1 14:2 as ecstatic speech, which was also an element in Hellenistic religions and constituted a symbol of divine inspiration.

Sense 4: speech, to speak

Semantic entry: 33.74

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Speak, Talk

Definition: (figurative extension of meaning of γλῶσσα[a] ‘tongue,’ 8.21: γλῶσσα) to communicate orally

Sense 5: speech, ability to speak

Semantic entry: 33.75

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Speak, Talk

Definition: (figurative extension of meaning of γλῶσσα[a] ‘tongue,’ 8.21: γλῶσσα) the faculty or capacity for speech

Notes: In RV LUK 1:64 · LV LUK 1:64 · Read together LUK 1:64 στόμα and γλῶσσα appear to have the same referent and therefore may be regarded as essentially synonymous.

Sense 6: what is said, talk, utterance

Semantic entry: 33.101

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Speak, Talk

Definition: that which has been spoken or uttered

Sense 7: person, individual

Semantic entry: 9.18

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Human Beings

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of γλῶσσα[a] ‘tongue,’ 8.21: γλῶσσα) a person as one who utters something{N:001}