G1378 — δόγμα (dogma)¶

Core Data¶

Strong's: G1378
Original: δόγμα
Transliteration: dogma
Pronunciation: dog'-mah
Part of Speech: Neuter noun
Root: From δοκέω (dokeō, G1380) — to think, seem, suppose
Occurrences: 5 in NT
First Occurrence: Luke 2:1 — "there went out a decree (dogma) from Caesar Augustus"
Hapax Legomenon: No

Lexicon Definition¶

From the base of δοκέω (G1380); a law (civil, ceremonial, or ecclesiastical) — a decree, ordinance. Refers to a formal rule, regulation, or authoritative decision issued by a governing body or authority.

Semantic Domains¶

Louw-Nida: - 33.032 — Command, Order - 33.033 — Law, Regulation, Ordinance

δόγμα sits in the communication / regulation field, covering both the issuing of an authoritative order and the resulting ordinance or decree.

UBS Semantic Domains: - [033] Communication

Translation Distribution (KJV)¶

Translation	Count	%
decrees	2	40%
a decree	1	20%
ordinances	1	20%
of ordinances	1	20%

Distribution by Book¶

Book	Count	Per 100 Verses
Acts	2	0.2
Luke	1	0.1
Ephesians	1	0.6
Colossians	1	1.1

Concentrated in Luke-Acts (3 of 5) and Pauline epistles (2 of 5). Absent from the Gospels except Luke, and absent from the rest of the NT.

Semantic Categories¶

1. Imperial/Civil Decree — Authoritative Edict from a Ruler¶

Luke 2:1 — "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree (dogma) from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."
Acts 17:7 — "these all do contrary to the decrees (dogma) of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."

2. Apostolic Decree — Decision of the Church Council¶

Acts 16:4 — "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees (dogma) for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem."

3. Religious Ordinance/Regulation — Ceremonial Law Requirements¶

Ephesians 2:15 — "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (dogma); for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace"
Colossians 2:14 — "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (dogma) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"

Common Collocations¶

Word	Strong's	Co-occurrences	Typical Pattern
Καῖσαρ (Kaisar)	G2541	2x	"decree/decrees of Caesar" (Luk 2:1, Act 17:7)
νόμος (nomos)	G3551	1x	"the law of commandments in ordinances" (Eph 2:15)
ἐντολή (entolē)	G1785	1x	"commandments contained in ordinances" (Eph 2:15)
ἀπόστολος (apostolos)	G652	1x	"ordained of the apostles" (Act 16:4)
πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros)	G4245	1x	"apostles and elders" issuing decrees (Act 16:4)
καταργέω (katargeō)	G2673	1x	"having abolished... ordinances" (Eph 2:15)

Word Family / Cognates¶

G1380 δοκέω (dokeō) — to think, seem, suppose (root verb; a dogma is what "seems good" to an authority)
G1379 δογματίζω (dogmatizō) — to decree, prescribe by statute; reflexively, to submit to ordinances (1 occurrence: Col 2:20)

Synonyms¶

No direct synonyms were returned by search_relationships.py for G1378.

Antonyms¶

No antonyms were returned by search_relationships.py for G1378.

Easily Confused Words¶

Word	Strong's	Shared Translation	Key Difference
νόμος (nomos)	G3551	both translated "law/ordinance"	nomos = the Law as a whole system; dogma = a specific decree or regulation
δικαίωμα (dikaiōma)	G1345	both translated "ordinance"	dikaiōma = righteous requirement or equitable statute; dogma = authoritative decree from a governing body
ἐντολή (entolē)	G1785	both in the "command" semantic field	entolē = a specific commandment; dogma = a formal regulation or edict
διαταγή (diatagē)	G1296	both translated "ordinance/decree"	diatagē = arrangement/institution (1 occurrence); dogma = formal decree of recognized authority
חֹק (choq)	H2706	Hebrew "decree/ordinance" rendered by dogma in LXX	choq = engraved statute (from root "to cut"); dogma = what was decided/resolved

Hebrew Source (via LXX)¶

Hebrew/Aramaic Source	Strong's	PMI Score	Notes
רְשַׁם (resham)	H7560	10.40	Aramaic: to sign, write (Dan 6:9-10)
טְעֵם (te'em)	H2942	9.30	Aramaic: decree, command, taste (Dan 3:10, 6:26)
שׂוּם (sum)	H7761	8.83	Aramaic: to command, lay, set (Ezra 5:13)
אֱסָר (esar)	H633	10.56	Aramaic: interdict, decree (Dan 6:7-9)
דָּת (dath)	H1882	9.18	Aramaic: decree, law (Dan 2:13, 6:8)

The Hebrew source is predominantly Aramaic legal/administrative terms from Daniel and Ezra, reflecting the LXX translators' use of dogma for official decrees in the court of Babylonian and Persian kings.