Greek word · G2082

ἐσωτέρω

esōterō

inner

'Further in, inner', a comparative form of eso, 'inside'. It can mean the inner one of two areas or simply the innermost part.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐσώτερος, -α, -ον

(compar. of ἔσω), [in LXX chiefly for פְּנִימִי and cognate forms ;]

inner: Acts 16:24; τὸ ἐ., Hebrews 6:19.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 16:24

Range of meaning

'Further in, inner', a comparative form of eso, 'inside'. It can mean the inner one of two areas or simply the innermost part.

Against the English

KJV, WEB, ESV and NASB have 'inner prison'; BSB and NIV have 'inner cell'; NLT has 'inner dungeon'. 'Dungeon' gets the darkness right but suggests an underground medieval keep, which the text does not say. 'Cell' can suggest a small private room. The inner area could be a shared space: in verse 25 'the prisoners' are listening.

Used elsewhere in the period

The only other New Testament use is Heb 6:19, 'the inner place behind the curtain', meaning the innermost sanctuary. Roman prisons often had an outer area with some light and contact with visitors and a deeper, darker inner area for prisoners held most strictly. The Tullianum below Rome's carcer is the famous example (Rapske, Paul in Roman Custody).

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 16:24 ἐσωτέραν inner

    On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

    Here: A 'more-inside' form of 'inside'. It means the innermost, most secure part of the jail: the room furthest from the door, with no window, which is why the jailer later calls for lights (v. 29).

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 6:19 ἐσώτερον within

    We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

    Here: 'The more inward part', i.e. what lies on the far side of the curtain. With the next words it repeats the exact Greek phrase the Greek Old Testament uses for the high priest entering the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:2, 12, 15).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.