ΑΙΤΗΜΑ
The term aitema, a noun derived from the verb aiteo ("to ask, to beg, to request"), denotes the act of submitting a request or petition. In classical antiquity, its usage was broad, encompassing all manner of demands, from legal matters to personal entreaties. Within sacred texts, particularly the New Testament, it acquires a deeper theological significance, referring to the prayers and supplications of the faithful to God. Its lexarithmos (360) suggests a balance between human need and divine response.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, αἴτημα (to) primarily means "that which is asked for, a request, a petition." It stems from the verb αἰτέω, which carries the fundamental sense of "to ask, to beg, to demand." The word is widely employed in classical Greek literature to describe any form of request, whether it be a formal demand, as in legal or political contexts, or a personal entreaty.
In philosophy, αἴτημα can refer to a principle accepted without proof, an axiom, or a postulate, as seen in the context of geometrical postulates (e.g., Euclid, Elements). However, its predominant usage remains in expressing the human will to ask something of another, be it a person or a deity.
Its theological dimension is fully realized in the texts of the Septuagint (LXX) and the New Testament. Here, αἴτημα is frequently used to describe the prayer or supplication addressed to God, emphasizing human dependence on divine providence and faith in God's response. It is not merely a demand but an expression of trust and communication with the divine.
Etymology
From the root ait- derive numerous words that retain the central meaning of asking. The verb αἰτέω is the primary form, from which nouns like αἴτησις (the act of asking) and αἴτημα (the result of asking) emerge. Compound verbs such as ἐξαιτέω (to demand insistently, to ask for out of) and ἀπαιτέω (to demand back), as well as adjectives like αἰτητός (that which is asked for) and ἀναίτητος (unasked), are also found.
Main Meanings
- Request, petition, demand — The general meaning of the word, referring to any kind of asking or requirement.
- Legal or political claim — A formal request or assertion in a legal or public context.
- Axiom, postulate (in philosophy/mathematics) — A principle accepted without proof, serving as a basis for further reasoning (Plato, Republic 510c; Euclid, Elements).
- Prayer, supplication to God — The dominant theological meaning in the New Testament, where αἴτημα is an expression of faith and dependence on God.
- Result of a request — That which has been asked for and possibly granted or is expected to be granted.
- Desire, longing — In certain contexts, it can imply a deeper desire or longing expressed as a request.
Word Family
ait- (root of the verb aiteo, meaning "to ask, to beg")
The root ait- forms the core of a significant family of words in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of asking, petitioning, or demanding. This root, belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, expresses a fundamental human action: the endeavor to obtain something through verbal request. From simple asking to formal demands or theological supplication, the root ait- gives rise to words covering a wide spectrum of social and spiritual interactions. Each member of the family develops a specific aspect of this central idea, whether as an action, a result, or a quality.
Philosophical Journey
The journey of αἴτημα from classical literature to sacred texts reveals a significant evolution in its meaning, from a general concept of asking to a central theological term.
In Ancient Texts
Three characteristic passages from the New Testament highlight the theological significance of αἴτημα:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΙΤΗΜΑ is 360, from the sum of its letter values:
360 decomposes into 300 (hundreds) + 60 (tens) + 0 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΙΤΗΜΑ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 360 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 9 | 3+6+0=9 — The Ennead, the number of completion and divine fullness, suggesting the fulfillment of petitions. |
| Letter Count | 6 | 6 letters — The Hexad, the number of creation and human labor, associated with the effort of supplication. |
| Cumulative | 0/60/300 | Units 0 · Tens 60 · Hundreds 300 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | A-I-T-H-M-A | A Holy Intercession Towards Human Mystery's Affirmation. |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 0A · 2C | 4 vowels (A, I, H, A), 0 aspirates, 2 consonants (T, M). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Sun ☉ / Aries ♈ | 360 mod 7 = 3 · 360 mod 12 = 0 |
Isopsephic Words (360)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (360) but different roots, offering an interesting numerical coexistence:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 55 words with lexarithmos 360. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Thayer, J. H. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. New York: American Book Company, 1889.
- Plato — Republic. Edited by J. Burnet. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1903.
- Euclid — Elements. Edited by J. L. Heiberg. Leipzig: Teubner, 1883-1888.
- Nestle-Aland — Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
- Rahlfs, A., Hanhart, R. — Septuaginta. 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006.