ΧΩΡΙΟΝ (chorion) — Lexarithmos 1630 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, chorion is a diminutive of choros and signifies "place, spot, region." Its usage in classical Greek literature varies, but it consistently denotes a delimited space, often smaller or more specific than the broader choros or the more abstract topos.

It is frequently used to describe a plot of land, an estate, or a field, as attested in the writings of Xenophon and Plato, highlighting its connection to agricultural life and land ownership. In a military context, chorion could refer to a fortified position, a camp, or a strategic point, emphasizing the place's distinct and significant nature.

Beyond its material meanings, chorion also acquired a metaphorical use, denoting a "passage" or "section" in a text or book, i.e., a distinct portion of discourse. This evolution demonstrates the word's capacity to describe both physical and conceptual "spaces" or "divisions."

Etymology

chorion ← choros (from the root *khor-, meaning "empty space, region")

The word chorion is a diminutive of choros, meaning "space, place, region." The root *khor- (or *ghor- in Proto-Indo-European) is associated with the concept of empty or open space, from which words denoting movement within this space or its division also derive. The original meaning of choros was "empty space," but it evolved to "region, place" with specific boundaries.

Cognate words include the verb choreo ("to contain, give way, advance") and its derivatives, as well as the adjective chorikos ("belonging to a place, rustic"). This family emphasizes the concept of space, movement within it, and its division, with chorion representing a specific, delimited portion of that space.

Main Meanings

Place, spot, locality — The general meaning, indicating a specific space or location.
Plot of land, estate, field — Especially in agricultural contexts, a piece of arable land or property.
Military post, stronghold, camp — A military term for a fortified or strategic location.
Passage, section (in a text) — A distinct portion or excerpt within a book or written text.
Country, region — In some instances, it can refer to a broader geographical area or country.
District, division — A distinct unit or subdivision of a larger whole.

Word Family

khor- (root of choros, meaning "empty space, region")

The root khor- (or *ghor- in Proto-IndoEuropean) forms the basis for a family of words revolving around the concept of space, region, movement within it, and its division. Initially, it may have denoted an "empty" or "open" space, but it quickly acquired the meaning of a "defined place" or "area." From this root derive both nouns describing space and verbs indicating the action of occupying, moving through, or dividing it.

χῶρος ὁ · noun · lex. 1770

The broader space, place, region. The parent word of chorion, from which the diminutive is derived. In Homer, it means "empty space," while later "place, region" (e.g., Herodotus, Histories).

χωρέω verb · lex. 2305

To contain, hold, but also to give way, advance, move. It denotes movement or capacity within a space, as in Plato's «χωρεῖν ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσω» (to advance) in Republic.

χωρικός adjective · lex. 1800

Belonging to a place, rustic, provincial. It describes something related to a specific chorion or choros, such as Thucydides' «χωρικός δῆμος» (rural deme).

χωροβατέω verb · lex. 2578

To walk in a place, traverse a region. It describes the action of moving within a chorion or choros, implying exploration or occupation of it.

χωρογραφία ἡ · noun · lex. 2085

The description of places, chorography. A word developed to systematically describe the features and boundaries of chorions and countries, as in Strabo's Geography.

χωρίζω verb · lex. 2487

To separate, divide into parts. This verb describes the act of creating "chorions" from a larger whole, as in Plato (Sophist) where concepts are separated.

χωρισμός ὁ · noun · lex. 2020

Separation, division. The result of chorizein, i.e., the creation of distinct chorions or their removal from each other. Often used in philosophical and legal texts.

Philosophical Journey

The trajectory of chorion through the centuries reflects the evolution of the concept of space and property, as well as the word's adaptation to new uses.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Greek

The word is widely used by authors such as Xenophon and Plato to denote a "place," "farm," or "position." For example, in Xenophon (Anabasis 5.3.11) it is referred to as «τὸ χωρίον ἦν ὀχυρόν» (the place was fortified).

3rd C. BCE

Hellenistic Period

It frequently appears in legal and administrative texts (e.g., papyri) to describe "landed property" or "plots of land," underscoring the importance of land in the economy.

1st C. CE

New Testament

Used for "field" or "plot of land," as in the case of «χωρίον αἵματος» (Acts 1:18), the place where Judas met his end, emphasizing the connection to a specific, historical spot.

2nd-4th C. CE

Patristic Literature

Continues to be used for "place" and "region," but also for a "passage" of text, as the Church Fathers comment on and analyze sacred texts.

Byzantine Era

Byzantine Greek

Retains its meanings, with a particular emphasis on "agricultural plot" and, gradually, evolves to denote a settlement, a "village," as a small delimited place of habitation.

In Ancient Texts

Three representative passages that highlight the various uses of "chorion":

«καὶ λαβὼν χωρίον ἐκ τοῦ μισθοῦ τῆς ἀδικίας...»

And having obtained a field with the reward of iniquity...

Acts of the Apostles 1:18

«τὸ χωρίον ἕκαστον ὡς ἀρίστῳ τρόπῳ γεωργεῖν»

each to cultivate his piece of land in the best possible way

Plato, Laws 776b

«τὸ χωρίον ἦν ὀχυρόν»

the place was strong/fortified

Xenophon, Anabasis 5.3.11

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΧΩΡΙΟΝ is 1630, from the sum of its letter values:

Χ = 600

Chi

Ω = 800

Omega

Ρ = 100

Rho

Ι = 10

Iota

Ο = 70

Omicron

Ν = 50

Nu

= 1630

Total

600 + 800 + 100 + 10 + 70 + 50 = 1630

1630 decomposes into 1600 (hundreds) + 30 (tens) + 0 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΧΩΡΙΟΝ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	1630	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	1	1+6+3+0 = 10. Ten, the number of completeness, totality, and order. A defined space is a complete unit, a full part of the whole.
Letter Count	6	6 letters. Six, the number of creation and harmony, often associated with material perfection and the balance of a physical space.
Cumulative	0/30/1600	Units 0 · Tens 30 · Hundreds 1600
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	C-H-O-R-I-O-N	Choros Hieron Orismou Rhoeos Idion Oikon Nomou (Space of Sacred Definition, Flow's Own House of Law) — an interpretive connection to order and existence within space.
Grammatical Groups	3V · 3S · 0M	3 vowels (o, i, o), 3 semivowels (ch, r, n), 0 mutes. The balance of vowels and semivowels indicates a word with fluidity and clarity in pronunciation.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Saturn ♄ / Aquarius ♒	1630 mod 7 = 6 · 1630 mod 12 = 10

Isopsephic Words (1630)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1630) as chorion, but of different roots, offering interesting conceptual contrasts:

σύνοψις

Synopsis (1630) refers to a general overview or summary, an intellectual "seeing together" of the whole. It contrasts with chorion, which denotes a specific, material place, illustrating the opposition between the abstract and the concrete.

περιτειχισμός

Periteichismos (1630) is the act of circumvallation, building a wall around something. It connects to the concept of chorion as a delimited or fortified place, highlighting human intervention in defining space.

ὁμόφρων

Homophron (1630) means "of one mind, agreeing." It represents a unity of spirit, in contrast to chorion which is a unity of space, demonstrating the distinction between internal and external coherence.

τόνωσις

Tonosis (1630) refers to strengthening, toning, tension. A concept concerning an internal state or energy, as opposed to the external, spatial nature of chorion, showing the variety of ways a "unit" can be defined.

ἀσυνάρτητος

Asynartetos (1630) means "disconnected, incoherent." It stands in opposition to the idea of chorion as a defined and coherent part, emphasizing the importance of structure and connection for understanding space.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 58 words with lexarithmos 1630. 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. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Plato — Laws. Loeb Classical Library.
Xenophon — Anabasis. Loeb Classical Library.
New Testament — Acts of the Apostles.