5386. philosophos
Strong's Lexicon
philosophos: Philosopher

Original Word: φιλόσοφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: philosophos
Pronunciation: fee-LOS-oh-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-os'-of-os)
Definition: Philosopher
Meaning: a philosopher.

Word Origin: From φίλος (philos, meaning "loving" or "fond of") and σοφία (sophia, meaning "wisdom")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "philosophos" in the Old Testament, as the concept of a philosopher as understood in the Greco-Roman context does not have a direct parallel in Hebrew thought. However, the pursuit of wisdom is a significant theme in Hebrew literature, particularly in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job.

Usage: The term "philosophos" refers to a person who is a lover of wisdom or a philosopher. In the context of the New Testament, it is used to describe individuals who engage in the pursuit of wisdom, often through reasoning and debate. Philosophers in the ancient world were known for their exploration of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and language.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, philosophers were highly regarded as intellectuals who contributed to discussions on ethics, metaphysics, and logic. Schools of philosophy, such as Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Platonism, were influential in shaping cultural and intellectual thought. Philosophers often gathered in public spaces, such as the Agora in Athens, to discuss and debate their ideas. The Apostle Paul encountered philosophers during his missionary journeys, notably in Athens, a center of philosophical thought.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5386 philósophos – literally, "a lover (friend) of wisdom" (used only in Ac 17:18).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from philos and sophos
Definition
a philosopher
NASB Translation
philosophers (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5386: φιλόσοφος

φιλόσοφος, φιλοσοφου, (φίλος and σοφός), a philosopher, one given to the pursuit of wisdom or learning (Xenophon, Plato, others); in a narrower sense, one who investigates and discusses the causes of things and the highest good: Acts 17:18. (See references under the preceding word.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
philosopher.

From philos and sophos; fond of wise things, i.e. A "philosopher" -- philosopher.

see GREEK philos

see GREEK sophos

Forms and Transliterations
φιλοσοφων φιλοσόφων philosophon philosophōn philosóphon philosóphōn
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 17:18 N-GMP
GRK: καὶ Στοϊκῶν φιλοσόφων συνέβαλλον αὐτῷ
NAS: and Stoic philosophers were conversing
KJV: certain philosophers of the Epicureans,
INT: and Stoics philosophers encountered him

Strong's Greek 5386
1 Occurrence


φιλοσόφων — 1 Occ.

















5385
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