"a keeping, custody; meton. a place of custody, prison, ward, Acts 4:3; 5:18; met. practical observance, strict performance, 1 Cor. 7:19*"
Definition and meaning
a keeping, custody; meton. a place of custody, prison, ward, Acts 4:3; 5:18; met. practical observance, strict performance, 1 Cor. 7:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: τήρησις
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 teresis (G5084) across the King James Bible.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
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Common questions
Strong's G5084 (teresis) is a Greek word that means: a keeping, custody; meton. a place of custody, prison, ward, Acts 4:3; 5:18; met. practical observance, strict performance, 1 Cor. 7:19* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word teresis (G5084) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5084 is teresis, a Greek word defined as: a keeping, custody; meton. a place of custody, prison, ward, Acts 4:3; 5:18; met. practical observance, strict performance, 1 Cor. 7:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
teresis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.