ἀγρός
a field, the country
Definition
The Greek word ἀγρός primarily means 'a field' as cultivated land used for agriculture, such as in the Parable of the Sower where the field represents the world (Matthew 13:38). It can also denote 'the countryside' or rural area in contrast to a city, as seen when Jesus travels through the country regions (Mark 6:56). In some contexts, it refers to a piece of land as property or an estate, like the field that contains a hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44). The term encompasses both the specific plot of ground and the broader, uncultivated open country.
Biblical Usage
ἀγρός appears 34 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels, especially Matthew's parables (e.g., Matthew 13:24, 13:31, 13:44). It is used in agricultural settings to describe fields for sowing or growth (Matthew 6:28, 6:30) and in narratives about travel or location in rural areas (Mark 6:36, Luke 9:12). The usage consistently relates to land, whether for farming, as property, or as a geographical area outside urban centers.
Etymology
Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂eǵros, meaning 'field' or 'pasture.' It is cognate with the Latin 'ager' (field) and English 'acre.' The Greek word does not break down into ἀ- (not) + 'gros'; that is a false etymology. Its meaning has remained stable, referring to cultivated or open land.
Semantic Range
ἀγρός is theologically significant in Jesus' parables, where it often symbolizes the world or the human heart receptive to God's word (Matthew 13:38). In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the field represents the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the value of salvation (Matthew 13:44). Understanding this imagery enriches interpretation of these teachings about God's kingdom and mission.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, a field (ἀγρός) was typically a plot of land for farming, vital for subsistence and economy. It could be owned as private property or worked by tenants. Unlike modern large-scale farms, fields were often smaller, family-run plots. The countryside was viewed as distinct from the polis (city), associated with simplicity but also potential danger or isolation.
χώρα (chōra, G5561) — a region or territory, broader than a field; γῆ (gē, G1093) — earth, land, or soil, more general; ἀγρός specifically denotes a cultivated field or countryside.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
Full methodology & sources →