4161. poiéma

Lexicon

poiéma: Workmanship, creation, work

Original Word: ποίημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: poiéma
Pronunciation: poy'-ay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (poy'-ay-mah)
Definition: Workmanship, creation, work
Meaning: a thing made, a work, workmanship.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

workmanship.

From poieo; a product, i.e. Fabric (literally or figuratively) -- thing that is made, workmanship.

see GREEK poieo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from poieó
Definition
a work
NASB Translation
what has been made (1), workmanship (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4161: ποίημα

ποίημα, ποιήματος, τό (ποιέω), that which has been made; a work: of the works of God as creator, Romans 1:20; those κτισθέντες by God ἐπί ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς are spoken of as ποίημα τοῦ Θεοῦ (A. V. his workmanship), Ephesians 2:10. (Herodotus, Plato, others; the Sept. chiefly for מַעֲשֶׂה.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ποιέω (poieō), meaning "to make" or "to do."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ποίημα, the concept of creation and craftsmanship is present in several Hebrew words. Some corresponding entries include:

- מַעֲשֶׂה (ma'aseh) • Strong's Hebrew 4639: Refers to a deed, work, or act, often used to describe God's works.
- יָצַר (yatsar) • Strong's Hebrew 3335: To form or fashion, often used in the context of God's creative activity.
- בָּרָא (bara) • Strong's Hebrew 1254: To create, a term used exclusively for divine creation in the Hebrew Bible.

These Hebrew terms, like ποίημα, emphasize the creative power and intentionality of God as the ultimate Maker.

Usage: The term ποίημα is used in the New Testament to refer to something that has been created or made, emphasizing the craftsmanship or artistry involved in its creation.

Context: The Greek word ποίημα (poiēma) appears in the New Testament in two significant passages, both of which highlight the concept of divine craftsmanship and creation. The term is used to describe the works of God, emphasizing His role as the ultimate Creator.

In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul writes, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Here, ποίημα is translated as "workmanship," underscoring the idea that believers are crafted by God with purpose and intention. This passage reflects the theological understanding that salvation and the Christian life are not products of human effort but are the result of God's creative and redemptive work through Christ.

The second occurrence is found in Romans 1:20, where Paul states, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." In this context, ποίημα is translated as "workmanship," referring to the created world as a testament to God's invisible attributes. The natural world, as God's creation, reveals His power and divinity, leaving humanity without excuse for unbelief.

In both instances, ποίημα conveys the notion of intentional design and purpose, whether referring to the new life of believers in Christ or the broader creation that testifies to God's nature. The term invites reflection on the relationship between Creator and creation, highlighting the divine initiative and artistry inherent in God's works.

Forms and Transliterations

ποιημα ποίημα ποίημά ποιήμασι ποιήμασί ποιημασιν ποιήμασιν ποιήματα ποιήματά ποιήματι ποιήματί ποιήματος poiema poiēma poíema poíēma poiemasin poiēmasin poiḗmasin

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 1:20 N-DNP
GRK: κόσμου τοῖς ποιήμασιν νοούμενα καθορᾶται
NAS: being understood through what has been made, so
KJV: being understood by the things that are made, [even]
INT: of [the] world by the things made being understood are understood

Ephesians 2:10 N-NNS
GRK: γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα κτισθέντες ἐν
NAS: For we are His workmanship, created
KJV: we are his workmanship, created in
INT: indeed we are workmanship having been created in

Strong's Greek 4161
2 Occurrences

ποίημα — 1 Occ.
ποιήμασιν — 1 Occ.