G5498 — χειρόγραφον (cheirographon)¶

Core Data¶

Strong's: G5498
Original: χειρόγραφον
Transliteration: cheirographon
Pronunciation: khi-rog'-raf-on
Part of Speech: Neuter noun
Root: Compound of χείρ (G5495, "hand") + γράφω (G1125, "to write/engrave")
Occurrences: 1 in NT (hapax legomenon)
First (only) Occurrence: Col 2:14 — "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us"
Hapax Legomenon: YES — appears only once in the entire Bible

Lexicon Definition¶

Neuter compound of χείρ (G5495) and γράφω (G1125); something hand-written — a handwritten document, specifically a handwritten record or acknowledgment. In Greek legal usage, the term refers to a signed note of indebtedness written in the debtor's own hand: a chirograph.

Louw-Nida Semantic Domain¶

Domain: 33 — Communication
Subdomain: 33.005 — Written Language
Other words in subdomain: ἀναγινώσκω (G314, to read), ἀνάγνωσις (G320, public reading), ἀποστάσιον (G647, writing of divorcement), βιβλίον (G975, book), γράμμα (G1121, bill/letter), γραφή (G1124, scripture/writing)

UBS Semantic Domains¶

Code	Domain Label	Notes
033	Communication	`search_relationships.py` places χειρόγραφον in the written-communication field; neighbors: ἀγγελία (G31), ἀγγέλλω (G518), ἄγγελος (G32), ᾄδω (G103), αἴνεσις (G133), αἰνέω (G134).

Translation Distribution (KJV)¶

Translation	Count	%
the handwriting	1	100%

Distribution by Book¶

Book	Count	Per 100 Verses
Colossians	1	1.1

Single NT occurrence entirely in Paul's Colossian letter, Col 2:14. Entirely absent from the rest of the NT.

Semantic Categories¶

1. Handwritten Certificate / Document with Legal Force¶

The word designates a written instrument bearing the handwriting of the one who incurred the obligation — functioning as a legally binding acknowledgment. In Col 2:14 the cheirographon is described as (a) "against us" (καθ' ἡμῶν), (b) "contrary to us" (ὑπεναντίον ἡμῖν), and (c) the object of Christ's cancellation by nailing it to the cross.

Col 2:14 — "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (τοῖς δόγμασιν) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"

The accompanying genitive τοῖς δόγμασιν ("of ordinances/decrees," G1378) specifies the content of the document — the regulatory requirements. The three verbal actions applied to the cheirographon (ἐξαλείψας, "blotting out"; ἦρκεν ἐκ τοῦ μέσου, "taken out of the way"; προσηλώσας, "nailing") all describe permanent cancellation of a binding written record.

Common Collocations¶

No verse-level collocations available — hapax legomenon with only one occurrence. The immediate context of Col 2:14 includes:

Word	Strong's	Contextual Pattern
δόγμα (dogma)	G1378	"the handwriting of ordinances" — the content of the document
ἐξαλείφω (exaleiphō)	G1813	"blotting out the handwriting" — the act of cancellation
προσηλόω (prosēloō)	G4338	"nailing it to his cross" — the means of cancellation

Word Family / Cognates¶

χείρ (G5495) — hand; primary component; 169 NT verses; the instrument of signing/writing
γράφω (G1125) — to write/engrave; primary component; 209 NT verses; the verb of inscription
γραφή (G1124) — scripture, writing; cognate noun; 48 NT verses

Synonyms¶

No direct synonyms were returned by search_relationships.py for G5498.

Antonyms¶

No antonyms were returned by search_relationships.py for G5498.

Easily Confused Words¶

Word	Strong's	Shared Translation	Key Difference
γράμμα (gramma)	G1121	both translated "bill/writing" in document contexts	γράμμα = any written text (letters, Scripture, bill of debt); χειρόγραφον = specifically a handwritten personal acknowledgment/bond
γραφή (graphē)	G1124	both denote a written document	γραφή = Scripture or any written text in general; χειρόγραφον = a specific legal instrument hand-signed by the debtor
ἀποστάσιον (apostasion)	G647	both are formal handwritten legal documents (same Louw-Nida subdomain 33.005)	ἀποστάσιον = a certificate of divorce (dissolution of a marital bond); χειρόγραφον = a certificate of indebtedness

Domain Neighbors (Louw-Nida 33.005 — Written Language)¶

Strong's	Lemma	Total vv	Primary KJV Translation
G314	ἀναγινώσκω	21	read
G647	ἀποστάσιον	3	writing of divorcement
G975	βιβλίον	24	book
G1121	γράμμα	6	bill, letters
G1124	γραφή	48	scripture, scriptures

Hebrew Source¶

No Hebrew LXX source found for G5498. The term is a technical legal compound unique to Hellenistic Greek and has no direct OT Hebrew equivalent. Cross-testament trace not applicable.