ἀήρaḗr
by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally circumambient)
Greek (New Testament) · G109
Meanings
in Hom., Hes., the lower air which surrounds the earth, as opposed to the purer αἰθήρ of the higher regions; generally, air: Acts 22:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 9:2, Revelation 16:17; of the air as the realm of demons, Ephesians 2:2; ἀ. δέρειν, of striving to no purpose, 1 Corinthians 9:26; εἰς ἀ. λαλεῖν, of speaking without effect, not being understood, 1 Corinthians 14:9.
Same root
- ἀετόςaetós · G105an eagle (from its wind-like flight)
- αὐλόςaulós · G836a flute (as blown)
- ἀτμίςatmís · G822mist
- μετεωρίζωmeteōrízō · G3349to raise in mid-air, i.e. (figuratively) suspend (passively, fluctuate or be anxious)
- ἄνεμοςánemos · G417wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth)
- αὔριονaúrion · G839properly, fresh, i.e. (adverb with ellipsis of G2250 (ἡμέρα)) to-morrow
- αὐλήaulḗ · G833a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion
- αὐστηρόςaustērós · G840rough (properly as a gale), i.e. (figuratively) severe
Where it appears
Appears 7 times in the Bible.
- Acts 22:23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
- 1 Corinthians 9:26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
- 1 Corinthians 14:9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.
- Ephesians 2:2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
- Revelation 9:2 When he opened it, smoke poured out as though from a huge furnace, and the sunlight and air turned dark from the smoke.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.