UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: space, place, room

Semantic entry: 80.1

Semantic domains: Space

Subdomains: Space, Place

Definition: an area of any size, regarded in certain contexts as a point in space

Notes: In RV JHN 11:48 · LV JHN 11:48 · Read together JHN 11:48 the expression τὸν τόπον refers to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Sense 2: passage, part of a document, part of Scripture

Semantic entry: 33.10

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Word, Passage

Definition: a particular portion or unit of discourse

Notes: In rendering τόπος[b], περιοχή, or γραφή[a], it is often possible to use a rather general term such as the place or the part. In other instances one may wish to use a term meaning the words. Accordingly, RV LUK 4:21 · LV LUK 4:21 · Read together LUK 4:21 may be rendered as ‘these words have come true today as you have heard them being read.’

Sense 3: position of service, task

Semantic entry: 42.21

Semantic domains: Perform, Do

Subdomains: Do, Perform

Definition: a role involving activity and responsibility

Notes: In some languages the latter part of this expression in RV ACT 1:25 · LV ACT 1:25 · Read together ACT 1:25 may be rendered as ‘helping in this way and being an apostle’ or ‘helping in this way as an apostle.’ For another interpretation of τόπος in RV ACT 1:25 · LV ACT 1:25 · Read together ACT 1:25, see 87.1: τόπος.

Sense 4: position, role

Semantic entry: 87.1

Semantic domains: Status

Subdomains: Position, Rank

Definition: the position of a person within a group, implying a particular role or type of activity

Notes: In a number of languages the equivalent of this expression in RV ACT 1:25 · LV ACT 1:25 · Read together ACT 1:25 may be simply ‘to undertake the work of an apostle’ or ‘to be an apostle in serving.’ For another interpretation of τόπος in RV ACT 1:25 · LV ACT 1:25 · Read together ACT 1:25, involving a shift in focus, see 42.21: τόπος.

Sense 5: possibility, chance, opportunity

Semantic entry: 71.6

Semantic domains: Mode

Subdomains: Possible, Impossible

Definition: the possibility of some occasion or opportunity

Sense 6: place, people

Semantic entry: 11.59

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Political

Definition: the inhabitants of a place{N:001}

Notes: In a number of languages it is impossible to use a term meaning ‘place’ as a reference to the people of such a place.

Sense 7: sandbar, reef

Semantic entry: 1.68

Semantic domains: Geographical Objects and Features

Subdomains: Land in Contrast With the Sea

Definition: a bar or reef produced in an area where two currents meet

Notes: It is possible to understand τόπος διθάλασσος in RV ACT 27:41 · LV ACT 27:41 · Read together ACT 27:41 as a place of crosscurrents; see 14.32: διθάλασσος. In some languages it may be necessary to construct a descriptive equivalent for ‘sandbank,’ for example, ‘a hill of sand just beneath the surface of the water’ or ‘a ridge of sand hidden by the water.’

Collocations: τόπος διθάλασσος