"an object of religious veneration and worship, Acts 17:23; 2 Thess. 2:4*"
Definition and meaning
an object of religious veneration and worship, Acts 17:23; 2 Thess. 2:4*
In the original Greek the word is written: σέβασμα
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of sebasma (G4574) across the King James Bible.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
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Common questions
Strong's G4574 (sebasma) is a Greek word that means: an object of religious veneration and worship, Acts 17:23; 2 Thess. 2:4* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word sebasma (G4574) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4574 is sebasma, a Greek word defined as: an object of religious veneration and worship, Acts 17:23; 2 Thess. 2:4*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sebasma is a Greek word found in the New Testament.