The Greek word chṓra, represented by G5561, refers to a space of territory, often including its inhabitants. It appears 27 times across 27 unique verses. Originating from the idea of an "empty expanse," its meaning is broad, encompassing terms like coast, county, fields, ground, land, and region.
Beyond its general sense of territory, G5561 often carries a nuanced implication of an area defined less by precise political borders and more by natural features, communal identity, or even a sense of openness. While it can refer to a specific "region" like Galatia Acts 16:6, its root meaning of an "empty expanse" allows for a flexibility that can describe a wilderness adjacent to a city John 11:54 or an undifferentiated "country" sighted from a ship Acts 27:27. This semantic range allows chṓra to function as a versatile descriptor for both inhabited and uninhabited stretches of land, emphasizing the broadness or general character of a geographical area rather than its specific demarcation.
In scripture, G5561 is used in several key contexts. It denotes specific geographical areas, such as the "regions of Judaea and Samaria" Acts 8:1, the "region of Galatia" Acts 16:6, and the "country of the Gadarenes" Mark 5:1. It is also used more generally to describe a "far country" in parables, as when the prodigal son takes a journey Luke 15:13. The word can refer to agricultural land, as in the "fields" ready for harvest John 4:35, the laborers' fields James 5:4, or the "ground" of a rich man Luke 12:16. Sometimes, it implicitly includes the population of an area, as when "all the land of Judaea" went out to be baptized Mark 1:5.
G5561 also frequently highlights a place of origin or departure, underscoring movements of people and resources. For instance, the wise men, warned in a dream, departed to "their own country" Matthew 2:12, signifying a return to their homeland. Similarly, many Jews went "out of the country up to Jerusalem" for the Passover John 11:55, portraying chṓra as the broader area from which pilgrims embarked. This dynamic is further seen in the economic relationship where one "country was nourished by the king's country" Acts 12:20, illustrating chṓra as a source of provision and interdependence between regions.
Several related words help define the scope of G5561:
- G2449 Ioudaía: This term specifies "the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine." G5561 is often used to describe the "regions of Judaea" Acts 8:1, showing how chṓra can refer to a large, defined territory.
- G68 agrós: This word for "a field" denotes a more specific parcel of land. In the parable of the prodigal son, a citizen of the country G5561 sends him into his fields G68 Luke 15:15, illustrating a distinction between a general region and a specific plot of ground within it.
- G4172 pólis: This refers to "a town (properly, with walls...):--city," often contrasted with the surrounding country G5561. Jesus is described as going to a country near the wilderness and into a city called Ephraim within that area John 11:54.
- G5564 chōríon (a place, field, parcel of land): This diminutive of G5561 refers to a smaller, more specific plot or locality within a broader chṓra. While chṓra might denote a general "country" or "region," chōríon zeroes in on a particular "place" or "parcel of land," offering a more granular geographical detail.
The conceptual weight of G5561 is significant in several areas:
- The Field of Proclamation: G5561 frequently defines the territory for the expansion of the gospel. The early church was scattered throughout the "regions of Judaea and Samaria" Acts 8:1, and Paul's missionary work is described as moving through the "country of Galatia and Phrygia" Acts 18:23, with the Lord's word being published "throughout all the region" Acts 13:49.
- Symbol of Spiritual Distance: In parables, the "far country" G5561 serves as a setting for spiritual trial and transformation. It is where the prodigal son travels to live riotously Luke 15:13 and where a nobleman goes to receive a kingdom Luke 19:12, representing a place of separation.
- The Arena for Divine Activity: G5561 serves as the backdrop for significant spiritual events. It is the country where shepherds receive the angelic announcement Luke 2:8 and the country where Jesus confronts demonic forces Matthew 8:28. It is also used metaphorically as the "region and shadow of death" awaiting the light of Christ Matthew 4:16.
- The Arena of Sustenance and Labor: G5561 serves as the fundamental setting for human industry and the reception of divine provision. It is the "ground" of the rich man that brings forth plentifully Luke 12:16, highlighting the land's capacity for productivity. Likewise, it represents the "fields" where laborers toil and whose cries for justice are heard by God James 5:4, underscoring the social and economic realities tied to the land. This theme extends to the broader context of one "country" being sustained by another Acts 12:20, emphasizing the reliance on the land's bounty.
The Greek word G5561 chṓra is a remarkably adaptable term in the New Testament, encompassing a wide array of geographical and conceptual spaces. Its core meaning, rooted in the idea of an "empty expanse," allows it to describe anything from a vast, undifferentiated "country" to a specific "region" with implied boundaries. This versatility is evident in its use to denote particular geographical areas such as the "regions of Judaea and Samaria" Acts 8:1, the "country of the Gadarenes" Mark 5:1, or even the general "land" sighted by sailors Acts 27:27. It also frequently refers to agricultural land, as seen in the "fields" ready for harvest John 4:35 and the "ground" of a rich man Luke 12:16, implicitly including the populations that inhabit and work these areas, as when "all the land of Judaea" went out for baptism Mark 1:5.
The semantic depth of chṓra is further illuminated by its relationship to words like G2449 Ioudaía (a specific land), G68 agrós (a specific field), G4172 pólis (a city contrasted with the surrounding area), and G5564 chōríon (a smaller, more particular place within a region). These distinctions help to map the precise scope of chṓra in any given context. Moreover, chṓra defines crucial contexts for human movement, serving as a point of origin or destination, whether for pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem John 11:55 or wise men returning to "their own country" Matthew 2:12.
Theologically, chṓra carries significant weight. It defines the "Field of Proclamation" for the gospel's expansion Acts 13:49, acts as a "Symbol of Spiritual Distance" in parables of separation and return Luke 15:13, and serves as an "Arena for Divine Activity" where angelic announcements are made Luke 2:8 and demonic forces are confronted Matthew 8:28. Furthermore, it functions as "The Arena of Sustenance and Labor," highlighting the land's role in provision and the human responsibility within it James 5:4. From a broad geographical territory to a symbolic space of spiritual significance, chṓra provides the essential setting for many foundational narratives and theological concepts in the New Testament.
TRV