στοιχεῖον

στοιχεῖον, -ου, τό

[in LXX: Wis 7,17; 19,18, 4Ma 12,13 * ;]

prop., one of a row (στοῖχος) or series, hence,

1. the shadow-line of a dial (Aristoph.).

2. an elementary sound or letter of the alphabet (Anth., Plut., π.).

3. the elements or rudiments of knowledge (Arist., al.) Hebr 5,12 πτωχὰ σ., Gal 4,9 σ. τοῦ κόσμου, Gal 4,3, Kol 2,8, 20 (but see infr.).

4. The material elements of the universe (Plat.; LXX, ll. with): 2 Pet 3,10; 3,12.

5. The heavenly bodies (Ding. Laert.).

6. The demons or tutelary spirits of nature (Enoch., Test., Sol., al.; for this sense in Ga, Col, ll. with, see ICC on Kol 2,8 Enc. Bibl., see word " Elements ").†