UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Form 1

Part of speech: noun, n.

Inflections: στοιχεῖον; -ου

Related lemmas: στοιχέω

Sense 1: elements, natural substances

Semantic entry: 2.1

Semantic domains: Natural Substances

Subdomains: Elements

Definition: the materials of which the world and the universe are composed

Notes: In many languages the closest equivalent of στοιχεῖα is ‘the things of which the world is made’ or ‘what the world is made of’ or ‘the substances of which the universe consists.’

PE2 3:10: RV PE2 3:10 · LV PE2 3:10 · Read together PE2 3:10

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OET-RV PE2 3:10

10 But the day of the master will come like a thief, when the universe will suddenly pass away, its components will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth and what happened on it will be examined.

OET-LV PE2 3:10

10 But the_day of_the_master will _be _coming like a_thief, in which the heavens will _be _passing _away vociferously, and elements being _burned will _be _being _destroyed, and the_earth and the works in it will _be _being _found.

PE2 3:12: RV PE2 3:12 · LV PE2 3:12 · Read together PE2 3:12

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OET-RV PE2 3:12

12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God when the universe will be set alight and destroyed and its components will melt as they burn up.

OET-LV PE2 3:12

12 expecting and hurrying the coming of _the day of_ the _god, because _of which the_heavens being _burned, will _be _being _destroyed, and the_elements being _burned, is _being _melted.

Sense 2: the supernatural powers over this world

Semantic entry: 12.43

Semantic domains: Supernatural Beings and Powers

Subdomains: Supernatural Powers

Definition: the supernatural powers or forces regarded as having control over the events of this world

Notes: In a number of languages there is no way of speaking of ‘supernatural powers’ or ‘supernatural forces.’ Reference can only be made to such powers in terms of kinds of spirit beings; therefore, one may render στοιχεῖα[b] in RV COL 2:20 · LV COL 2:20 · Read together COL 2:20 as ‘those spirits that have power’ or ‘those spirits which control.’

COL 2:20: RV COL 2:20 · LV COL 2:20 · Read together COL 2:20

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OET-RV COL 2:20

20 If you’ve died to worldly principles, then why are you letting yourselves be indoctrinated with worldly living:

OET-LV COL 2:20

20 If you _all _died _off with chosen _one /messiah from the principles of _the world, why are _you _all _being _indoctrinated as _though living in the_world:

Sense 3: basic principles, elementary concepts

Semantic entry: 58.19

Semantic domains: Nature, Class, Example

Subdomains: Basic Principles or Features Defining the Nature of Something

Definition: basic principles which underlie the nature of something

Notes: In some languages it may be extremely difficult to find the lexical equivalents of ‘the basic principles about the elementary aspects.’ In Greek this represents highly generic vocabulary, and in many languages the closest equivalent is ‘how to understand the simple truths.’ Therefore, this expression in RV HEB 5:12 · LV HEB 5:12 · Read together HEB 5:12 may be rendered as ‘again you have need for someone to teach you how to understand the simple truths about God’s message.’

GAL 4:3: RV GAL 4:3 · LV GAL 4:3 · Read together GAL 4:3

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OET-RV GAL 4:3

3 That’s how it is with us—when we were infants we were enslaved by this world’s principles,

OET-LV GAL 4:3

3 Thus we also, when we _were infants, we _were having _been _enslaved under the principles of _the world.

GAL 4:9: RV GAL 4:9 · LV GAL 4:9 · Read together GAL 4:9

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OET-RV GAL 4:9

9 But now that you do know God, or rather now that God knows you, why would you turn back again to useless and inferior beliefs, to serve them all over again?

OET-LV GAL 4:9

9 on _the _other _hand now having _known god, and rather having _been _known by god, how are _you _all _turning _back back to the weak and poor principles, for _which again you _all _are _wanting to _be _serving again?
?

All 5 recorded passages for this sense

GAL: RV GAL 4:3 · RV GAL 4:9 · LV GAL 4:3 · LV GAL 4:9 · Read together GAL 4:3 · Read together GAL 4:9

COL: RV COL 2:8 · RV COL 2:20 · LV COL 2:8 · LV COL 2:20 · Read together COL 2:8 · Read together COL 2:20

HEB: RV HEB 5:12 · LV HEB 5:12 · Read together HEB 5:12

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

στοιχεῖον

Form 1

Sense 1: elements, natural substances

Sense 2: the supernatural powers over this world

Sense 3: basic principles, elementary concepts