Brief Overview of μώλωψ (Strong’s G3468: mōlōps)

Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies opens deeper layers of meaning in scripture. The Greek word μώλωψ (mōlōps), which appears in 1 Peter 2:24, is particularly significant because it is tied to a profound theological concept—healing through Christ’s suffering. It refers to a “bruise” or “wound,” specifically the marks of punishment. In the New Testament, this word emphasizes the physical and spiritual healing brought about by the suffering of the Messiah. This concept has deep roots in both ancient Greek culture and New Testament theology, making mōlōps an essential word for understanding salvation and redemption.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: μώλωψ (mōlōps), pronounced MOH-lops.

Etymology: The word is derived from an unknown root, but its general meaning is tied to physical injuries like bruises, welts, or wounds caused by blows. In classical Greek, it was used in both medical and metaphorical contexts to describe visible injuries.

Part of Speech: Noun (masculine). In the biblical text, it refers specifically to physical marks, such as bruises or welts, which symbolically point to the suffering of Christ.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Bruise or Welt: The most literal meaning of mōlōps refers to a physical injury caused by a strike or blow, usually a visible bruise or welt. This can refer to any mark left on the body by force.

2. Wound Resulting from Punishment: In the context of 1 Peter 2:24, mōlōps specifically refers to the wounds Christ received during His suffering and crucifixion. These wounds symbolize the sacrifice that brings about spiritual healing and redemption.

3. Metaphorical Suffering: Beyond the literal physical injury, mōlōps can also carry a deeper, metaphorical meaning in scripture, representing the spiritual and emotional bruises of humanity, which are healed through Christ’s sacrifice.

Exploring Similar Words

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1. τραῦμα (trauma) [pronunciation: TRAU-ma]: This word means “wound” or “injury,” similar to mōlōps but broader, including both physical and emotional wounds. Trauma focuses more on the damage itself, while mōlōps emphasizes the bruise or mark left by injury.

2. πληγή (plēgē) [pronunciation: pleh-GEH]: Meaning “blow” or “strike,” this word refers more to the action that causes injury, whereas mōlōps describes the resulting bruise or welt.

3. ὑπώπιον (hypōpion) [pronunciation: hu-PO-pi-on]: This word refers to a “black eye,” a specific kind of bruise around the eye caused by a blow. While it is more specialized, it is related to mōlōps in that both describe injuries caused by impact.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

• Mōlōps is a masculine noun. It follows standard declension patterns in Greek. It can appear in singular or plural forms depending on the context, but in 1 Peter 2:24, it is used in the singular to refer to Christ’s individual bruising, symbolizing his suffering.

Declension:

• Mōlōps follows the third declension in Greek. Below is the declension table for mōlōps:

Case Singular Plural

Nominative μώλωψ μώλωπες

Genitive μώλωπος μώλωπων

Dative μώλωπι μώλωψι(ν)

Accusative μώλωπα μώλωπας

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Studying Lexicon Insights

In biblical lexicons, mōlōps is often associated with punishment, suffering, and healing. In 1 Peter 2:24, the word signifies the bruises Christ bore during His crucifixion, and through these bruises, believers are spiritually healed. This use has significant theological implications, particularly in relation to the prophetic imagery of Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering servant whose wounds bring healing to others. Classical Greek usage typically confines mōlōps to medical contexts, but in the New Testament, its meaning deepens to encompass both physical suffering and spiritual restoration.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 1 Peter 2:24 – “By His wounds [μώλωπι], you have been healed.”

2. Isaiah 53:5 (LXX) – “But He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His bruises [μώλωπι] we are healed.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Greek Usage in Text

Hippocrates Aphorisms “Bruises [μώλωπες] left from blows are best treated with cold.”

Herodotus Histories “The soldier’s body was covered in bruises [μώλωπες] from battle.”

Septuagint Isaiah 53:5 “By His bruises [μώλωψ], we are healed.”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word mōlōps (G3468) is an essential term in Christian theology, symbolizing the physical suffering of Christ, which brings about the spiritual healing of believers. While the term originally referred to physical bruises or welts caused by a blow, its metaphorical use in the New Testament emphasizes the power of Christ’s wounds to restore and redeem humanity. Its usage in 1 Peter 2:24 draws heavily from the prophetic language of Isaiah, pointing to the fulfillment of messianic promises through Jesus’ suffering.

Did You Know?

1. The concept of healing through suffering, as seen in mōlōps, is central to Christian soteriology, where Christ’s physical pain is directly linked to the salvation of souls.

2. Mōlōps is one of the few Greek words in the New Testament that directly ties physical suffering to spiritual healing, reflecting the holistic nature of salvation.

3. In ancient medical texts, mōlōps was commonly used to describe visible injuries that required treatment, a stark contrast to its redemptive meaning in scripture.