Greek word · G1784
ἔντιμος
entimos
valued/honored
Held in honor (timē), esteemed, of high value, precious. It covers both honor and price.
Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
ἔντιμος, -ον
(τιμή), [in LXX for חוֹר, etc. ;]
honoured, prized, precious: of persons, Luke 7:2, Philippians 2:29; compar., Luke 14:8; of things, metaphorically, λίθος, 1 Peter 2:4 2:6" (LXX) .†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
Held in honor (timē), esteemed, of high value, precious. It covers both honor and price.
- Against the English
'Precious' (all major versions) captures the value but can sound sentimental. The word also means 'honored', which matters in a culture run on honor and shame.
- How it drifted
Modern 'precious' often means emotionally dear. The Greek word was about public worth and esteem.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Greek Isaiah 28:16 (for Hebrew 'yiqrat', costly, precious). Used of honored persons in Luke 7:2, 14:8 and Philippians 2:29.
From the study of Philippians 2:29
- Range of meaning
Literally 'in honor' (en + timē, honor or value). It means held in honor, distinguished, or precious, valuable. Used of a high-ranking guest (Luke 14:8, 'someone more distinguished than you'), a valued slave (Luke 7:2) and a precious stone (1 Pet 2:4, 6; LXX Isa 28:16).
- Against the English
BSB/ESV/NIV 'honor' is accurate. KJV 'hold such in reputation' meant 'hold in esteem' in 1611, but modern readers hear 'reputation' as public image. NASB 'in high regard' is close.
- How it drifted
KJV's 'reputation' has shifted from 'esteem given to someone' toward 'how someone is seen or rated', a more neutral and image-focused idea.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Common in Greek inscriptions and literature for people of rank and standing. In the Septuagint it is used of honored persons (e.g. 1 Sam 22:14 of David, 'honored in your house') and of precious things.
- Range of meaning
In honor, honored, respected; of things: valuable, costly, prized. Built on timē, 'honor, value, price'.
- Against the English
'Precious' is the usual rendering, but in modern English 'precious' often means sweet, dear or endearing. The Greek is about honor and worth: public standing and high value. NLT's 'great honor' catches this, at the cost of paraphrase.
- How it drifted
English 'precious' has softened from 'of great price' to sentimental affection.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Isa 28:16 LXX (above). Elsewhere in the NT it is used of a highly valued servant (Luke 7:2), of people of standing (Luke 14:8, 'more distinguished'), and of those to be 'held in honor' (Phil 2:29). In 1 Peter, the related timē and timios run through the letter: Christ's 'precious blood' (1:19), and 'to you who believe is the honor' (2:7).
Where it appears
Luke · 2
Philippians · 1
-
Philippians 2:29 ἐντίμους in honor
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
Here: Holding someone as 'in honor': of high standing and great worth. In an honor-conscious Roman colony this is a public status word, not just a private warm feeling.
1 Peter · 2
-
1 Peter 2:4 ἔντιμον, [and] precious,
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
Here: Also from Isaiah 28:16. Held in honor and of high worth, the exact opposite of 'rejected as worthless'. Verse 7 picks it up: 'to you who believe is the honor (timē)'.
-
1 Peter 2:6 ἔντιμον, precious,
For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
Here: Means both 'costly' and 'held in honor'. It sets up verse 7, where the 'honor' (timē) belongs to those who believe, the opposite of the shame at the end of this verse.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.