Strong's Greek Concordance

G4747: στοιχεῖον

stoicheîon · “principle”

Definition

something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)

KJV translates it as: element, principle, rudiment

Word origin: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of G4748 (στοιχέω);

Extended definition

στοιχεῖον, -ου, τό
[in LXX: Wis.7:17 19:18, 4Ma.12:13 * ;]
prop., one of a row (στοῖχος) or series, hence,
1. the shadow-line of a dial (Aristoph.).
2. an elementary sound or letter of the alphabet (Anth., Plut., π.).
3. the elements or rudiments of knowledge (Arist., al.) Heb.5:12; πτωχὰ σ., Gal.4:9; σ. τοῦ κόσμου, Gal.4:3, Col.2:8, 20 (but see infr.).
4. The material elements of the universe (Plat.; LXX, ll. with): 2Pe.3:10 3:12.
5. The heavenly bodies (Ding. Laert.).
6. The demons or tutelary spirits of nature (Enoch., Test., Sol., al.; for this sense in Ga, Col, ll. with, see ICC on Col.2:8; Enc. Bibl., see word " Elements ").†
(AS)

Abbott-Smith Manual Greek Lexicon (1922) via STEPBible TBESG (CC BY 4.0).

How G4747 is translated

  • principles ×4
  • basic principles ×1
  • elements ×1
  • the elements ×1

Bible verses with G4747 (stoicheîon)

Stoicheîon appears in 7 verses.

  • Galatians 4:3

    Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

  • Galatians 4:9

    But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

  • Colossians 2:8

    Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

  • Colossians 2:20

    Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • 2 Peter 3:12

    Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?