γῆ (gē)
gē
earth: planet
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 228 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word gē refers to the earth, but its meaning shifts depending on context. It can describe the entire planet as a dwelling place for people and animals, standing in contrast to the heavens. This cosmic sense appears when Jesus speaks of stars falling from heaven to the earth (Matthew 24:29) or when Revelation describes judgment coming upon the whole world.
More often, gē points to solid ground or a specific region. It distinguishes land from sea, as in the story of the storm where Jesus calms the waves on the lake’s surface (Mark 4:39). The word also denotes cultivated soil, which is why it appears frequently in parables about farming, such as the seed falling on rocky ground (Matthew 13:5) or the fig tree planted in a vineyard (Luke 13:7).
Translators often render gē as "land" when referring to a particular territory, like the land of Israel (Matthew 2:20) or Chaldea (Acts 7:4). This flexibility allows the text to move seamlessly from the physical dirt underfoot to the global stage of human history, grounding theological concepts in tangible reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word earth often feels vast and impersonal, yet Scripture grounds our faith in tangible reality. It is not merely a backdrop for human drama but the stage where God’s promises unfold. When Jesus speaks of inheriting the earth or doing God’s will on it, He invites us to see our daily lives as part of His larger story. This perspective transforms ordinary moments into sacred ground.
We are called to live with integrity in this world, even when it feels unstable. The same Creator who sustains the cosmos also cares for the sparrows that fall to the ground. Our hope is not found in escaping the earth but in participating in its redemption. This assurance allows us to face uncertainty with quiet confidence.
Ultimately, the earth points toward a future where God’s will is fully realized. It reminds us that our actions here have eternal weight. Whether we are planting seeds or facing storms, we serve a Lord who holds all things together. This connection brings peace to our hearts and purpose to our steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 228 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- earth95×
- earth,33×
- earth.28×
- land26×
- ground12×
- [the] land9×
- soil8×
- earth;6×
- land,4×
- earth?4×
- land.3×
- ground.3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γῆς71×
- γῆν58×
- γῆς,32×
- γῆ22×
- γῆς.17×
- γῆς.¶9×
- γῆν,9×
- γῇ9×
- γῆν.6×
- γῆς·5×
- γῆν.¶3×
- γῆς;2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
This verse redefines strength by promising that the gentle will inherit the earth, shifting focus from power to humility.
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Matthew 6:10
Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Here the word links heaven and earth, showing that divine will is meant to be enacted in our physical reality.
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Matthew 13:5
Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.
The term describes rocky soil with no depth, illustrating how shallow understanding prevents spiritual growth.
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Matthew 2:6
‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
It identifies Bethlehem as the land of Judah, grounding the Messiah’s birth in a specific historical geography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'earth' mean in Matthew 5:5?
How is 'earth' different from 'land' in these verses?
Why does Jesus mention earth in the Lord's Prayer?
Every Occurrence (228 verses across 15 books)
Matthew 39 verses
‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who…
Matthew 2:20“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s…
Matthew 2:21He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matthew 4:15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
Matthew 5:5Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for…
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Matthew 6:10Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:19“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and…
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:26The report of this went out into all that land.
Matthew 9:31But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
Matthew 10:15Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for…
Matthew 10:29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 10:34“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 11:24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Matthew 11:25At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise…
Matthew 12:40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and…
Matthew 12:42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the…
Matthew 13:5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…
Matthew 13:8Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 14:24But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Matthew 14:34When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 15:35He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
Matthew 16:19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven;…
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 18:18Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 23:9Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
Matthew 23:35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of…
Matthew 24:30and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will…
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 25:18But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:25I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:51Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
Matthew 28:18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.