Original Word: κέραμος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: keramos
Pronunciation: KEH-rah-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (ker'-am-os)
Definition: Clay, Pottery, Tile
Meaning: a tile; practically: the roof.

tiling.

Probably from the base of kerannumi (through the idea of mixing clay and water); earthenware, i.e. A tile (by analogy, a thin roof or awning) -- tiling.

see GREEK kerannumi

Word Origin
from kerannumi
Definition
a tile
NASB Translation
tiles (1).

STRONGS NT 2766: κέραμος

κέραμος, κεράμου, ὁ (κεράννυμι);

1. clay, potter's earth.

2. anything made of clay, earthen ware.

3. specifically, a (roofing) tile (Thucydides, Athen., Hdian, others); the roof itself (Aristophanes from 129 d.): so διά τῶν κεράμων, through the roof, i. e. through the door in the roof to which a ladder or stairway led up from the street (accordingly the rabbis distinguish two ways of entering a house, 'the way through the door' and 'the way through the roof' (Lightfoot Horae Hebrew, p. 601); cf. Winers RWB, under the word Dach; Keim, ii., p. 176f (English translation 3:215; Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, i., 501f; Jewish Social Life, p. 93ff)), Luke 5:19. Mark (ii. 4) describes the occurrence differently (see ἀποστεγάζω), evidently led into error by misapprehending the words of Luke. (But, to say nothing of the improbability of assuming Mark's narrative to be dependent on Luke's, the alleged discrepance disappears if Luke's language is taken literally, through the tiles (see διά, A. I. 1); he says nothing of the door in the roof. On the various views that have been taken of the details of the occurrence, see B. D. (especially American edition) under the word ; Dr. James Morison, Commentary on Mark, at the passage cited.)

Word Origin: Derived from a primary root related to the idea of mixing or kneading, often associated with clay or earthen materials.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of clay and pottery is also present in the Hebrew Bible, with corresponding terms such as:
• Strong's Hebrew 2563: חֹמֶר (chomer) • Refers to clay or mud, often used in the context of pottery or construction.
• Strong's Hebrew 3335: יָצַר (yatsar) • A verb meaning to form or fashion, particularly in the context of a potter shaping clay.
• Strong's Hebrew 2789: חֶרֶשׂ (cheres) • Refers to earthenware or pottery, emphasizing the material's fragility and common use.

These Hebrew terms, like "κέραμος," underscore the significance of clay in the ancient world, both as a practical material and as a metaphor for divine creation and human fragility.

Usage: In the New Testament, "κέραμος" is used to describe materials made from clay, particularly in the context of construction or pottery. It appears in contexts where the material properties of clay are significant, such as in the construction of roofs or vessels.

Context: The Greek word "κέραμος" is used in the New Testament to describe materials made from clay, emphasizing its role in everyday life and construction during biblical times. In Luke 5:19, the term is used to describe the tiles of a roof: "But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus" (BSB). This passage highlights the practical use of clay tiles in ancient architecture, illustrating the commonality and importance of such materials in daily life.

The use of "κέραμος" in the New Testament reflects the broader cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where clay was a fundamental material for both utilitarian and artistic purposes. Clay was readily available and easily molded, making it an essential resource for creating durable goods and structures. The reference to "κέραμος" in the New Testament serves as a reminder of the humble and practical aspects of life during biblical times, as well as the ingenuity of ancient peoples in utilizing available resources.

κεραμων κεράμων keramon keramōn kerámon kerámōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts