"a savior, preserver, deliverer, Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Acts 5:31"
Definition and meaning
a savior, preserver, deliverer, Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Acts 5:31
In the original Greek the word is written: σωτήρ
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 soter (G4990) across the King James Bible.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
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Common questions
Strong's G4990 (soter) is a Greek word that means: a savior, preserver, deliverer, Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Acts 5:31 It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word soter (G4990) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4990 is soter, a Greek word defined as: a savior, preserver, deliverer, Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Acts 5:31. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
soter is a Greek word found in the New Testament.