στέγη

a flat roof of a house

Definition

The Greek word στέγη (stegē) primarily refers to the flat roof of a house, a common architectural feature in the ancient Near East. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes this physical structure, as seen in passages where a paralyzed man is lowered through a roof (Mark 2:4) or where a centurion humbly states he is not worthy to have Jesus enter under his roof (Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:6). There is no significant shift in meaning across its uses; it simply identifies the top covering of a dwelling.

Biblical Usage

Στέγη is used three times in the Synoptic Gospels, always in narrative contexts describing houses. In Mark 2:4, it is the roof through which friends dismantle part of the structure to lower a paralytic to Jesus. In Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6, it is part of the centurion's humble statement that Jesus need not enter his home ('under my roof'). The usage is straightforward and literal, with no metaphorical or theological application in the biblical text.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb στέγω (stegō, G4722), meaning 'to cover' or 'to protect.' The noun στέγη thus literally means 'a covering' or 'a roof.' This root is also seen in words like στέγος (stegos), another term for roof. The fundamental idea is of a protective overhead shelter.

Semantic Range

In the biblical world, houses often had flat, accessible roofs made of beams and clay, which could be used for sleeping, drying crops, or social gatherings (cf. Acts 10:9). This explains how the roof in Mark 2:4 could be dug through relatively easily. Understanding this architectural norm clarifies the actions described in the Gospels, contrasting with modern pitched, inaccessible roofs.

δῶμα (dōma, G1430) — Also means 'roof' or 'housetop,' often used interchangeably with στέγη but can emphasize the top surface as a platform (e.g., Matthew 24:17). οἰκία (oikia, G3614) — Means 'house' or 'household,' the broader structure of which the στέγη is a part.

Word Details

Scripture References