κέραμος
a tile, the roof
Definition
Κέραμος (keramos) primarily means a tile, specifically a roof tile made of baked clay. In its singular form, it refers to a single tile, while in the plural, it can refer to a tiled roof or roof in general. In the New Testament, its only occurrence in Luke 5:19 uses the plural form (κέραμος) to refer to the roof itself, the surface through which the paralyzed man was lowered. This reflects the common architectural practice where 'tiles' collectively meant the roof covering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 5:19. It describes the roof of a house in Capernaum from which friends of a paralyzed man removed tiles to lower him down to Jesus. The usage is straightforward and descriptive, serving to specify the type of roof common in that cultural setting, which was made of tiles and could be dismantled.
Etymology
The word κέραμος is of Greek origin, related to the verb κεράννυμι (kerannymi), meaning 'to mix' (as in mixing clay). It originally referred to potter's clay or earthenware. From this, it developed to mean objects made from baked clay, such as pottery, tiles, and bricks. The connection to 'mixing' highlights the manufactured nature of the material.
Semantic Range
While κέραμος itself is a mundane object, its use in Luke 5:19 is theologically significant within the narrative. The friends' act of breaking through the tiled roof demonstrates extraordinary faith and determination to reach Jesus, a faith that Jesus commends and rewards with healing (Luke 5:20). Understanding that it was a tiled roof, not a thatched one, clarifies the effort and disruption involved, emphasizing the boldness of their faith.
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, tiled roofs were a common feature in more permanent structures in towns like Capernaum, as opposed to simpler thatched roofs. These roofs were typically constructed with overlapping clay tiles, which could be removed relatively easily compared to a solid structure. This cultural detail makes the account in Luke 5:19 plausible and vivid, showing the friends' resourcefulness.
στέγη (stegē, G4721) — a more general term for 'roof' or 'covering', not specifying the material. δῶμα (dōma, G1430) — another word for 'housetop' or 'roof', often implying a flat roof used as living space.
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.
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