στερεός G4731
Firm, solid, hard; figuratively steadfast, unwavering in conviction or faith
This adjective describes what is physically hard and unyielding — solid stone versus hollow space, firm bone versus soft tissue. The New Testament extends this concreteness into the spiritual realm. Hebrews 5:12-14 contrasts 'solid food' with milk, using stereos to describe mature teaching fit for the spiritually developed. Paul declares God's 'firm foundation' stands unshaken (2 Tim 2:19), and Peter exhorts believers to resist the devil 'firm in the faith' (1 Pet 5:9). In each case the physical image of solidity — something you can press against and it does not give — anchors the metaphor of unwavering spiritual resolve.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Firm, solid, hard; figuratively steadfast and unyielding. Opposed in classical usage to hollow (koilon), soft (malthakos), or empty (kenon), it describes what resists pressure. Spanish 'firme' and French 'solide' translate naturally. In Heb 5:12, 14 it characterizes 'solid food' — advanced teaching for the mature. In 2 Tim 2:19 God's 'firm foundation' stands immovable despite apostasy. In 1 Pet 5:9 it describes the resolute faith with which believers are to withstand the devil. 4×
AR["الرّاسِخُ", "الصَّلْبَةِ", "الصَّلْبُ", "راسِخينَ"]·ben["কঠিন", "দৃঢ়"]·DE["fest"]·EN["firm", "of-solid", "solid"]·FR["solide"]·heb["אִתָּן", "חֲזָקִים", "מֻצָק"]·HI["ठोस", "दृढ़", "द्रिधह"]·ID["padat", "teguh", "yang-kokoh"]·IT["sterea", "stereas", "stereoi", "stereos"]·jav["atos", "kukuh"]·KO["견고한", "굳건하게", "단단한"]·PT["de-sólido", "firme", "sólido"]·RU["твёрдая", "твёрдое", "твёрдой", "твёрдые"]·ES["de-sólido", "firme", "firmes", "sólido"]·SW["imara"]·TR["katı", "sağlam"]·urd["سخت", "مضبوط"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
στερεός, ά, όν, also στερρός (which see), firm, solid, σ. λίθος ἠὲ σίδηρος Refs 8th c.BC+; αἰχμὴ σ. πᾶσα χρυσέη all of solid gold, Refs 5th c.BC+; τὰ -ώτερα τῶν ὀστέων, opposed to τὰ ἀραιότερα, Refs 5th c.BC+; τὸ σ., opposed to κενόν, Refs 4th c.BC+; opposed to μαλθακός, Refs 5th c.BC+; κυσὶ σ. καὶ ἰσχνοῖς, opposed to προβάτοις πίοσι καὶ ἁπαλοῖς, Refs 5th c.BC+; σ. κέρας solid, opposed to κοῖλον,…