Lexical Definition

‎γράμμα‎ grámma (gram'-mah) something written ^G:N-N
from ‎γράφω‎

bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written.

• a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.
• plural learning

Abbott-Smith

γράμμα, -τος, τό (< γράφω), [in LXX for סֵפֶר, etc. ;]

1. that which is traced or drawn, a picture.
2. that which is written;
(1) a character, letter: Ga 6:11;
(2) a writing, a written document;
(a) a bill or account: Lk 16:6, 7;
(b) a letter: Ac 28:21;
(c) τὰ ἱερὰ γ., the sacred writings, i.e. the OT: II Ti 3:15 (so in Philo, Vit. Mos., iii, 39) ;
(d) τὸ γ., the letter, the written word as an external authority in contrast with the direct influence of the Spirit as manifested in the new Covenant: Ro 2:27, 29 7:6, II Co 3:6, 7;
(3) τὰ γ., letters, i.e. learning: Jo 7:15, Ac 26:24. (In π. an illiterate person is very frequently referred to as γράμματα μὴ εἰδότης, and this "never means anything else than inability to write": MM, Exp., x; but v. also Cremer, 166; DCG, i, 202; ii, 584.) †

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

γράμμα, ατος, τό,

Doric dialect γράθμα, probably in [Refs 6th c.BC+], but γράσσμα, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: late Aeolic dialect plural γρόππατα, [Refs]: (γράφω):— that which is drawn: plural, lines of a drawing, picture, etc., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; picture, Ἀπέλλεω γ. [Refs 3rd c.BC+]: singular, drawing, picture, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: plural, figures in a picture, [Refs 5th c.AD+]

__II written character, letter, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: in plural, letters, characters, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις [NT+4th c.BC+]; the letters, the alphabet, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Ἀσσύρια, Ἑλληνικά, [γράμματα ἐπίστασθαι 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Leges” 689d ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; μαθεῖν to have learnt to read, [Refs]; ἐδίδασκες γράμματα, ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐφοίτων you kept school—I went there, [γράμματα 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1337b24 ">Refs 4th c.BC+]; τέχνη ἡμῶν γ. our profession is that of the scribe, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__II.b articulate sound, letter, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; γράμματα φθέγγεσθαι[Refs]
__II.c παρὰ γράμμα λέγοντα.. σκοπεῖν etymologically, [Refs]; τὰ παρὰ γ. σκώμματα puns, [Refs]; but ἀρετὴν παρὰ γ. διώκοντες, with reference to Νικαρέτη, the mistress of Stilpo, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.d inscription, τὸ Δελφικὸν γ. [γράμματα γράψαι “epigram Gr.” 1038.8 (from Attalia). ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 in plural, notes in music, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__II.3 mathematical diagram, epigram cited in [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
__II.4 letter inscribed on the lots which the δικασταί drew, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; practically, = division of dicasts, ἐν ὁποίῳ γ. δειπνεῖ [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἁ κατὰ γράμμα φυλακά the roster of guards, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__II.4.b quarters of a town, [Refs]; accent, [Refs]
__II.5 a small weight, 1/24 ounce, scruple, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__III in plural, set of written characters, piece of writing, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence, letter, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; inscription, epitaph, etc., ἐκόλαψε ἐς τὸν τάφον γράμματα λέγοντα τάδε [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.2 papers, documents, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τούτων τὰ γ. the documents to prove this, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὰ δημόσια γ. the public records, Decrees cited in [Refs 4th c.BC+]; title-deeds, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; account of loans, [γράμμασιν ἀποφέρειν 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Leges” 955d ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; contract or estimate, [Refs]; catalogue, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: in singular, bond, [NT]; note of hand, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__III.3 a man's writings, i.e. book, treatise, τὰ τοῦ Ζήνωνος γ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]: plural, books, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὰ ἱερὰ γ. the Holy [NT+3rd c.BC+]; ἱερὰ γ., = Imperial rescripts, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]; = hieroglyphics, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: in singular, the [NT+2nd c.AD+]; opposed to πνεῦμα, [Refs]article of a treaty, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.4 laws or rules, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κατὰ γράμματα ἄρχειν, opposed to ἄνευ γραμμάτων, [γράμματα ἰατρεύεσθαι 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1287a34; ἡ ἐκ τῶν γ. θεραπεία [prev. work] 40. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__IV in plural, also, letters, learning, ἀπείρους γραμμάτων [Refs 5th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Gal.6.11 ☩ Luke.16.7 ☩ 2Tim.3.15 ☩ Rom.2.27}