from θνητός; our:--our, your (by a different reading).
Transliteration:hēméteros
Pronunciation:hay-met'-er-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word hēméteros (`{{G2251}}`) is a possessive pronoun derived from `{{G2249}}` (hēmeis), the first-person plural pronoun meaning "we." Its core meaning is "our," "ours," or "belonging to us." While `{{G2257}}` (hēmōn), the genitive form of `{{G2249}}`, also means "our" or "of us," hēméteros often carries a stronger emphasis, signifying "our own" or "that which specifically pertains to us." It functions to denote a clear sense of proprietorship, shared identity, or specific relation within a group. This distinction highlights a more emphatic or explicit claim of possession or association than the simple genitive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Hēméteros (`{{G2251}}`) is relatively rare in the New Testament, appearing in contexts that underscore group identity and specific belonging:
* **[[Acts 2:11]]**: During the Day of Pentecost, the diverse crowd exclaims, "we hear them speaking in our own tongues the mighty deeds of God." Here, "our own tongues" (τὰς ἡμετέρας γλώσσας) emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, where each listener understood the apostles in their native language. It highlights the specific, individual connection to the message, yet within a collective experience.
* **[[Acts 24:6]]**: In Paul's trial before Felix, his Jewish accusers claim, "who also tried to profane our temple" (τὸν ἡμέτερον ναόν). This use of hēméteros underscores the Jewish leaders' sense of exclusive ownership and sanctity regarding the Jerusalem Temple, framing Paul's actions as a direct violation of their sacred space and tradition. It reflects a strong communal identity centered on the Temple.
* **[[Titus 3:14]]**: Paul instructs Titus, "And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful." Here, "our people" (οἱ ἡμέτεροι) refers to the believers within the Christian community, emphasizing their shared identity in Christ and their collective responsibility to demonstrate their faith through practical acts of service. It points to the internal solidarity and ethical conduct expected of the Christian "family."
In each instance, hēméteros serves to delineate a specific group (the listeners at Pentecost, the Jewish people, the Christian community) and to articulate what is uniquely theirs, whether it be language, sacred space, or communal responsibility.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{G2249}}` (hēmeis), the first-person plural pronoun "we," from which hēméteros is derived. Closely related in meaning is `{{G2257}}` (hēmōn), the genitive form of hēmeis, also translated "our" or "of us." While hēmōn is a general possessive, hēméteros adds an emphatic nuance of "our own." The concept of shared possession and corporate identity is central to its usage, linking it to broader themes of community, belonging, and collective action within both the Jewish and early Christian contexts. Other possessive pronouns, such as `{{G3450}}` (emoi, "my/mine") or `{{G5210}}` (hymeteros, "your/yours"), represent similar grammatical functions but for different persons.
### Theological Significance
Though infrequent, the use of hēméteros (`{{G2251}}`) carries notable theological weight. In [[Acts 2:11]], it subtly highlights God's universal reach and the inclusivity of the Gospel message, which transcends linguistic and cultural barriers to speak directly to the hearts of "our own" people. This can be seen as a divine reversal of the fragmentation at Babel, where God unites diverse peoples through the power of the Spirit.
In [[Acts 24:6]], the possessive "our temple" underscores the human tendency to claim exclusive ownership over religious institutions and traditions. This possessiveness, when misdirected, can lead to sectarianism, conflict, and a failure to recognize God's broader redemptive plan, as evidenced by the Jewish leaders' opposition to Paul's Gospel.
Finally, in [[Titus 3:14]], "our people" emphasizes the corporate identity and communal responsibility of believers. It signifies that those who belong to Christ are not isolated individuals but are part of a distinct, unified body with shared obligations to live out their faith through good works. This points to the practical and ethical dimensions of Christian discipleship, where the collective witness of "our people" reflects the transformative power of the Gospel. Hēméteros thus subtly reinforces the concept of the Church as a peculiar people, set apart, with a common spiritual heritage and a shared mission.
### Summary
Hēméteros (`{{G2251}}`) is a Greek possessive pronoun meaning "our" or "ours," derived from `{{G2249}}` (hēmeis, "we"). It conveys a strong sense of specific possession or belonging, often translated as "our own." Its limited occurrences in the New Testament, such as in [[Acts 2:11]], [[Acts 24:6]], and [[Titus 3:14]], consistently highlight themes of corporate identity, shared proprietorship, and communal responsibility. Theologically, hēméteros subtly illuminates aspects of God's inclusive work, the pitfalls of exclusive religious claims, and the collective ethical obligations of the people of God, whether Israel or the early Christian community.
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