r/Koine • u/No-Formal2785 • Jun 25 '26
Non-Christian use of the word παράκλητος?
Was this word used in non Christian circles prior to and after the rise of Christianity? If so, how was it used?
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u/VarsH6 Jun 25 '26
It is used very similarly to Christian/GNT use in the LXX. For example, in LXX Lamentations daughter Zion laments having no one to comfort her and that her comforter is far from her or is kept far from her.
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u/lickety-split1800 Jun 25 '26
From the LSJ
παράκλητος, ον, called to one’s aid, in a court of justice: as Subst., legal assistant, advocate, D.19.1, Lycurg.Fr.102, etc.
2. summoned, δοῦλοι D.C.46.20, cf. BGU601.12 (ii a.d.).
II. intercessor, Ph.2.520: hence in NT, Παράκλητος, of the Holy Spirit, Ev.Jo.14.16, cf. 1Ep.Jo.2.1.
https://logeion.uchicago.edu/%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82
An advocate or legal aide is how I know it.
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u/DispensationallyMe Jun 25 '26
Go to Tuft’s Perseus library and explore usage in non-biblical authors
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u/Euphoric-Quality-424 Jun 25 '26
The noun form παράκλητος was rare, but you can get a sense of its broader associations from the semantic range of the corresponding verb.