Original Word: χρῆμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: chréma
Pronunciation: khray'-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (khray'-mah)
Definition: Wealth, money, possessions, resources
Meaning: money, riches, possessions.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb χράομαι (chraomai), meaning "to use" or "to need."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "chréma," related concepts of wealth and possessions can be found in Hebrew words such as "כֶּסֶף" (kesef, Strong's H3701) meaning "silver" or "money," and "רְכוּשׁ" (rekhush, Strong's H7399) meaning "property" or "goods."

Usage: The term "chréma" in the New Testament primarily refers to material wealth or possessions. It is often used in contexts that discuss the use, accumulation, or moral implications of wealth. The word can denote both tangible assets and financial resources, emphasizing the role of material goods in human life and spiritual considerations.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, wealth was a significant indicator of social status and power. The economy was largely agrarian, but trade and commerce were also vital, especially in urban centers. Wealth was often seen as a blessing, but the New Testament also warns against the dangers of greed and the love of money. The early Christian community was encouraged to share resources and care for the needy, reflecting a counter-cultural approach to wealth.

Word Origin
from chraomai
Definition
a thing that one uses or needs
NASB Translation
money (4), wealthy (2).

STRONGS NT 5536: χρῆμα

χρῆμα, χρηματος, τό (χράομαι), in Greek writings whatever is for use, whatever one uses, a thing, matter, affair, event, business; specifically, money (rarely so in the singular in secular authors, as Herodotus 3, 38; Diodorus 13, 106 (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word I. under the end)): Acts 4:37; plural riches (often in Greek writings from Homer, Odyssey 2, 78; 16, 315 etc. down), Mark 10:24 (T WH omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the clause); οἱ τά χρήματα ἔχοντες, they that have riches, Mark 10:23; Luke 18:24; money, Acts 8:18, 20; Acts 24:26 (for כֶּסֶף, silver, Job 27:17; for נִכָסִים, riches, Joshua 22:8; 2 Chronicles 1:11f).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

money, riches.

Something useful or needed, i.e. Wealth, price -- money, riches.

Forms and Transliterations

χρημα χρήμα χρῆμα χρήμασι χρημασιν χρήμασιν χρηματα χρήματα χρηματων χρημάτων chrema chrêma chrēma chrē̂ma chremasin chrēmasin chrḗmasin chremata chrēmata chrḗmata chrematon chremáton chrēmatōn chrēmátōn

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts