Brief Overview of ἄρρωστος (G732: arrōstos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: arrōstos

Root Words:

• ἄρρωστος (arrōstos): Derived from the Greek prefix ἄ- (a-) meaning “not” and ῥώστος (rhōstos), from ῥώστης (rhōstēs), meaning “strong” or “healthy.”

Primary Meanings:

• Sick: The primary meaning of ἄρρωστος is “sick” or “ill,” describing a state of being unwell or suffering from a disease.
• Weak: It can also denote weakness or infirmity, extending beyond physical illness to a general state of frailty.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἄρρωστος as “sick” or “ill,” used to describe a person suffering from physical ailments or diseases. It highlights the term’s application to various forms of illness or weakness.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄρρωστος as “sick” or “infirm,” focusing on its use to denote physical weakness or illness.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary states that ἄρρωστος means “sick” or “ill,” referring to both minor and serious health conditions.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἄρρωστος as “sick” or “infirm,” indicating a broad use for various states of physical weakness or illness.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἄρρωστος as “sick,” aligning with its general use to describe someone who is unwell or infirm.

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Bible Verses:

• Matthew 4:24 (KJV): “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”
• ἄρρωστος is used to describe “sick people,” indicating a range of health issues.
• James 5:14 (KJV): “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• Here, ἄρρωστος refers to someone who is physically ill and in need of prayer and healing.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἄρρωστος is used to describe various states of illness and weakness:

• Hippocrates’ Writings (circa 4th century BC): Describes patients with different ailments and uses terms like ἄρρωστος to denote sickness.
• Aristotle’s Works (circa 4th century BC): Uses the term in discussions about health and the effects of illness on the body.
• Euripides’ Plays (circa 5th century BC): Applies ἄρρωστος to characters who are suffering from illness or weakness.

4. Summary:

ἄρρωστος (G732: arrōstos) means “sick” or “infirm,” derived from Greek roots meaning “not” and “strong.” It primarily describes a state of illness or physical weakness. BDAG and other lexicons consistently define it as related to sickness or infirmity. In classic Greek literature, ἄρρωστος is used to denote various forms of illness and weakness, reflecting its broad application to health-related conditions.