Strong's Lexicon stoa: Portico, Colonnade Original Word: στοά Word Origin: From the Greek verb "ἵστημι" (histēmi), meaning "to stand." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "stoa," the concept of a colonnade or portico can be related to the Hebrew term "אולם" (ulam), which refers to a porch or vestibule, particularly in the context of the Temple. Usage: The term "stoa" refers to a covered walkway or portico, often lined with columns, that was commonly found in ancient Greek and Roman architecture. In the New Testament, it is used to describe a specific architectural feature within the temple complex in Jerusalem. Cultural and Historical Background: Stoas were significant in ancient Greek and Roman cities, serving as public spaces for gatherings, discussions, and commerce. They were typically open on one side and supported by a series of columns. In the context of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, the "stoa" or "portico" was a place where people gathered for teaching and discussion. The most famous stoa in the New Testament is Solomon's Colonnade, located on the eastern side of the Temple Mount. HELPS Word-studies 4745 stoá – a pillar, supporting a covered-colonnade (like in the Temple precinct); a portico, usually open on one side so people could congregate and talk. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a portico NASB Translation portico (3), porticoes (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4745: στοάστοά, στοάς, ἡ, a portico, a covered colonnade where people can stand or walk protected from the weather and the heat of the sun: John 5:2; στοά Σολομῶνος, a porch or portico built by Solomon in the eastern part of the temple (which in the temple's destruction by the Babylonians was left uninjured, and remained down to the times of king Agrippa, to whom the care of the temple was intrusted by the emperor Claudius, and who on account of its antiquity did not dare to demolish and build it anew; so Josephus relates, Antiquities 20, 9, 7; (but on 'Solomon's Porch' cf. B. D., under the word Strong's Exhaustive Concordance porch, colonnadeProbably from histemi; a colonnade or interior piazza -- porch. see GREEK histemi Forms and Transliterations εστοίβασεν εστοιβασμένη στοα στοά στοᾷ στοαί στοας στοάς στοὰς στοιβάσατέ στοιβάσει στοιβάσουσι stoa stoā̂i stoas stoàsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 5:2 N-AFPGRK: Βηθζαθά πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα NAS: having five porticoes. KJV: having five porches. INT: Bethesda five porches having John 10:23 N-DFS Acts 3:11 N-DFS Acts 5:12 N-DFS |