σπεῖρα
speira
band
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word σπεῖρα (speira) has a short definition as "band." In the context of seven occurrences in the Bible, we can deduce that it likely refers to a group of people tied or connected together. This word could imply physical confinement, a collective entity, or perhaps even an organizational structure. The range of usage is quite narrow, with seven references, indicating a relatively infrequent but specific application of this term. It's worth noting that the definition does not provide any context of what or who might form this "band." This lack of specificity might suggest that the meaning was understood in its cultural and historical context. The significance of this word cannot be overstated without additional context. However, based on the definition as "band," it could be related to groupings such as social organizations, military units, or possibly people tied or held captive. Without further information, it is difficult to draw concrete conclusions, but these possibilities offer potential avenues for exploration.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences across the text
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.
Mark 15:16The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
John 18:3Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
John 18:12So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him,
Acts 10:1Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
Acts 21:31As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Acts 27:1When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.