Greek word · G2330

θέρος

theros

summer

Summer, the warm season. In Greek it is closely tied to harvest work: the verb therizō, 'to reap', is built from it. In the Septuagint it renders Hebrew qayitz, 'summer' and also 'summer fruit' (figs and similar).

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

θέρος, -ους, τό

(θέρω, to heat), [in LXX chiefly for קַיִץ ;]

summer: Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28, Luke 21:30.†

(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 Matthew 24:32

Range of meaning

Summer, the warm season. In Greek it is closely tied to harvest work: the verb therizō, 'to reap', is built from it. In the Septuagint it renders Hebrew qayitz, 'summer' and also 'summer fruit' (figs and similar).

Against the English

'Summer' is a correct translation. What a modern reader may miss is that in Judea summer was the season of ripening and gathering, when figs, grapes and other fruit were picked. It was not a holiday season.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Gen 8:22 ('seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer [theros] and winter'); Prov 6:8; 10:5; Ps 74:17. In Amos 8:1–2 the Hebrew plays on qayitz ('summer fruit') and qetz ('end'). That pun works only in Hebrew, and the Greek translators did not reproduce it.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 24:32 θέρος. summer.

    Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

    Here: The hot, dry season. In the land of Israel it was the time when fruit ripened and was gathered, including figs. The Greek verb 'to reap' (therizō) is formed from this word.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 13:28 θέρος summer

    Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 21:30 θέρος summer

    When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

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