Original Word: στερέωμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: stereóma
Pronunciation: steh-REH-o-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (ster-eh'-o-mah)
Definition: Firmament, expanse, support, foundation
Meaning: firmness, steadfastness, constancy.

steadfastness.

From stereoo; something established, i.e. (abstractly) confirmation (stability) -- stedfastness.

see GREEK stereoo

Cognate: 4733 steréōma (a noun) – literally, a support (foundation); (figuratively) strength (solidity), making one immoveable because solid (used only in Col 2:5). See 4731 (stereos).

Word Origin
from stereoó
Definition
a solid body, a support, strength, firmness
NASB Translation
stability (1).

STRONGS NT 4733: στερέωμα

στερέωμα στερεώματος, τό (στερεόω), that which has been made firm;

a. (Vulg.firmamentum) the firmament; so the Sept. for רָקִיעַ , the arch of the sky, which in early times was thought to be solid, Genesis 1:6-8; Ezekiel 1:22-26; Sir. 43:1 (cf. B. D. (especially American edition) under the word ); a fortified place, 1 Esdr. 8:78 (80).

b. that which furnishes a foundation; on which a thing rests firmly, support: Aristotle, partt. an. 2, 9, 12, p. 655{a}, 22; κύριος στερέωμα μου, Psalm 17:3 ().

c. firmness, steadfastness: τῆς πίστεως, Colossians 2:5 (some take it here metaphorically in a military sense, solid front; cf. Lightfoot at the passage (per contra Meyer)).

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb στερεόω (stereoō), meaning "to make firm" or "to establish."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • רָקִיעַ (raqia) • Strong's Hebrew 7549: This Hebrew term is used in the Old Testament to describe the firmament or expanse, particularly in the creation account of Genesis. It is the direct counterpart to the Greek στερέωμα in the Septuagint translation.

Usage: The word στερέωμα appears in the New Testament in Colossians 2:5, where it is used metaphorically to describe the firmness or steadfastness of faith. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it is used to translate the Hebrew word רָקִיעַ (raqia), referring to the firmament or expanse created by God.

Context: The term στερέωμα is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, though it appears more frequently in the Septuagint than in the New Testament. In the creation narrative of Genesis 1:6-8, the firmament (στερέωμα) is described as the expanse that God created to separate the waters above from the waters below. This firmament is called "Heaven" and serves as a testament to God's creative power and order.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses στερέωμα in Colossians 2:5: "For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderly conduct and the firmness of your faith in Christ." Here, the term is employed metaphorically to commend the Colossians for their steadfastness in faith, highlighting the importance of spiritual stability and resilience in the Christian life.

The concept of στερέωμα underscores the biblical theme of God's creation as both orderly and purposeful, as well as the call for believers to remain firm in their faith amidst challenges.

στερεωμα στερεώμα στερέωμα στερέωμά στέρεωμα στερεώματι στερεώματος στερίσκω stereoma stereōma steréoma steréōmaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts