σημεῖον G4592
sign, miraculous sign; a visible token or wonder that authenticates divine authority or prophetic message
Greek semeion denotes a visible indicator or authenticating mark, and in the New Testament it overwhelmingly refers to miraculous signs that reveal divine power and purpose. The Pharisees repeatedly demand 'a sign from heaven' (Matt 12:38; 16:1), while John's Gospel structures its narrative around seven semeia that disclose Jesus' identity. Paul distinguishes 'signs and wonders' as apostolic credentials (2 Cor 12:12), and the eschatological discourse warns of false signs (Matt 24:24). The word bridges evidence and wonder: a semeion is never mere spectacle but always points beyond itself to the authority of the one who performs it.
Senses
1. sign, miraculous sign — A miraculous sign or authenticating token that points to divine authority and purpose. In the Synoptics, opponents demand a semeion as proof (Matt 12:38-39), while John's Gospel organizes around seven signs revealing Jesus' glory. Paul appeals to 'signs, wonders, and mighty works' as apostolic credentials (2 Cor 12:12). Eschatological discourse warns of deceptive signs (Matt 24:24). The term inherently combines visibility with signification — a semeion always points beyond the event to its divine source. 77×
AR["آيات", "آياتٍ", "آيَاتٌ", "آيَاتٍ", "آيَاتَ", "آيَاتِ", "عَلاماتٌ", "عَلَامَاتِ"]·ben["চিহ্ন", "চিহ্নগুলি", "চিহ্নগুলো", "চিহ্নে", "চিহ্নের"]·DE["Zeichen"]·EN["signs"]·FR["signe"]·heb["אוֹתוֹת", "הַ-אוֹתוֹת"]·HI["उसके-द्वारा", "चिनह", "चिन्ह", "चिन्हों", "चिह्न", "चिह्न,", "चिह्नों-का,", "चिह्न।", "नीचे"]·ID["tanda", "tanda-tanda", "tanda-tanda,"]·IT["segno"]·jav["mukjijat", "mukjijat.", "pratandha", "pratandha,", "tandha", "tandha,", "tandha-tandha", "tandha-tandha\""]·KO["그-", "표적들-과", "표적들-을", "표적들-의", "표적들을", "표적들을-통하여", "표적들이", "표징들이"]·PT["sinais", "sinais,"]·RU["Знамения", "знамений", "знамения", "знамениями,"]·ES["señales"]·SW["ishara", "kubwa"]·TR["işaretler", "işaretleri", "işaretlerin", "işaretlerini", "işaretlerle"]·urd["اور", "نشان", "نشانیاں", "نشانیوں", "نشانیوں-سے", "نشانیوں،"]
Matt 12:38, Matt 12:39, Matt 12:39, Matt 12:39, Matt 16:1, Matt 16:3, Matt 16:4, Matt 16:4, Matt 16:4, Matt 24:3, Matt 24:24, Matt 24:30 (+38 more)
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σημεῖον, τό, Ionic dialect σημήϊον, Doric dialect σᾱμήϊον Refs 4th c.BC+, σᾱμεῖον Refs 2nd c.BC+, σᾱμᾶον Refs —= σῆμα in all senses, and more common in Prose, but never in Refs 8th c.BC+: mark by which a thing is known, Refs 5th c.BC+; sign of the future, τυραννίδος σ. Refs 5th c.BC+; trace, track, σημεῖα δ᾽ οὔτε θηρὸς οὔτε του κυνῶν.. ἐξεφαίνετο Refs 5th c.BC+; of a cork on a buoy, Refs 2nd…