"anything twisted or wreathed, a cord, coil, band, etc.; a band of soldiers, company, troop; used for a Roman cohort, about 600 soldiers, Mt. 27:27; Acts 10:1; the temple guard, Mk. 15:16; Jn. 18:3, 12; Acts 21:31; 27:1*"
Definition and meaning
anything twisted or wreathed, a cord, coil, band, etc.; a band of soldiers, company, troop; used for a Roman cohort, about 600 soldiers, Mt. 27:27; Acts 10:1; the temple guard, Mk. 15:16; Jn. 18:3, 12; Acts 21:31; 27:1*
In the original Greek the word is written: σπεῖρα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 speira (G4686) across the King James Bible.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
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Common questions
Strong's G4686 (speira) is a Greek word that means: anything twisted or wreathed, a cord, coil, band, etc.; a band of soldiers, company, troop; used for a Roman cohort, about 600 soldiers, Mt. 27:27; Acts 10:1; the temple guard, Mk. 15:16; Jn. 18:3, 12... It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word speira (G4686) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4686 is speira, a Greek word defined as: anything twisted or wreathed, a cord, coil, band, etc.; a band of soldiers, company, troop; used for a Roman cohort, about 600 soldiers, Mt. 27:27; Ac. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
speira is a Greek word found in the New Testament.