Original Word: πλησίον
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: plésion
Pronunciation: play-see'-on
Phonetic Spelling: (play-see'-on)
Definition: Neighbor
Meaning: near, nearby, a neighbor.

Word Origin: Derived from the neuter of a derivative of pelas (meaning "near")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "plésion" is רֵעַ (rea, Strong's Hebrew 7453), which also means "neighbor" or "friend."

Usage: In the New Testament, "plésion" is used to denote someone who is near or close by, often translated as "neighbor." It extends beyond mere physical proximity to encompass a broader moral and ethical obligation to others, emphasizing love, compassion, and kindness. The term is central to the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the context of the Great Commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself."

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Jewish context of the first century, the concept of "neighbor" was often understood to refer to fellow Israelites. However, Jesus expanded this definition to include all people, as illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This parable challenged prevailing social and ethnic boundaries, urging believers to show mercy and love to all, regardless of their background or status.

Word Origin
adverb from plésios; from pelas (near)
Definition
near, neighboring
NASB Translation
near (1), neighbor (16).

STRONGS NT 4139: πλησίον

πλησίον (neuter of the adjective πλησίος, πλησια, πλησίον), adverb, from Homer down, near: with a genitive of place (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6), John 4:5; with the article, ὁ πλησίον namely, ὤν (cf. Buttmann, § 125, 10; Winers Grammar, 24) (the Sept. very often for רֵעַ ; sometimes for עָמִית), properly, Latinproximus (so Vulg. in the N. T.), a neighbor; i. e.

a. friend: Matthew 5:43.

b. any other person, and where two are concerned the other (thy fellow-man, thy neighbor) i. e., according to the O. T. and Jewish conception, a member of the Hebrew race and commonwealth: Acts 7:27; and Rec. in Hebrews 8:11; according to the teaching of Christ, any other man irrespective of race or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet (which idea is clearly brought out in the parable Luke 10:25-37): Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31, 33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9, 10; (); Galatians 5:14; Ephesians 4:25; James 2:8 and L T Tr WH in ; πλησίον εἶναι τίνος, to be near one (one's neighbor), i. e. in a passive sense, worthy to be regarded as a friend and companion, Luke 10:29; actively, to perform the offices of a friend and companion, Luke 10:36; (on the omission of the article in the last two examples see Buttmann, § 129, 11; Winer's Grammar, § 19 at the end).

near, neighbor.

Neuter of a derivative of pelas (near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend) -- near, neighbour.

πλήσιοι πλησιον πλησίον plesion plesíon plēsion plēsíonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts