Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
χορος
The noun χορος (choros) appears to originally have described an enclosure (see the adverb χωρις, choris, meaning separately), and particularly one to provide merrymakers with a dance floor (see the closely related verb χαιρω, chairo, to rejoice). It thus attained the meaning of place of dance, then dance itself, and since collective singing appears to have evolved from collective dancing, finally it came to denote a choir or chorus (hence these English word).
In the New Testament, this noun appears only in Luke 15:25, where the good son hears the sound of music and dancing come from the house upon the return of the prodigal.
Our noun also appears in the following compounds:
- Our noun together with the verb ηγεομαι (hegeomai), meaning to lead, forms the unused noun χορεγος (choregos), meaning the leader of a chorus, not in an artistic sense but rather as the one who instigates and pays for a shindig; the host of the party and footer of the bill. From this noun derives:
- The verb χορηγεω (choregeo), meaning to do what a χορεγος (choregos) does: to accommodate, supply or furnish generously (2 Corinthians 9:10 and 1 Peter 4:11 only). From this verb in turn derives:
- Together with the preposition επι (epi), meaning on or upon: the verb επιχορηγεω (epichoregeo), meaning to furnish upon, to supply further or over-abundantly. This verb is used 5 times, see full concordance, and from it derives:
- The noun επιχορηγια (epichoregia), meaning a generous and over-abundant supply, gift or aid (Ephesians 4:16 and Philippians 1:19 only).
ορχεομαι
The verb ορχεομαι (orcheomai) means to dance (hence our English word orchestra), and dancing in antiquity was a communal and joyful affair, the proverbial opposite of sitting down by one's somber self (Matthew 11:17).
It's not clear where this word came from but here at Abarim Publications we suspect it may have entered the Greek language basin from the Semitic one, along with trade goods and the alphabet (see our article on the many Hebrew roots of the Greek language).
The core idea of our verb is getting up and stretching out (and reaching out to fellows) and may very well derive from the Hebrew verb ארך ('arak), to be long or to prolong; noun ארך ('orek) means length, adjectives ארך ('arek) and ארך ('arok) mean long, and noun ארוכה ('aruka) describes a lengthy period of healing or restoration.
Our verb is used 4 times; see full concordance and has no derivatives.