Brief Overview of ξηρός (Strong’s G3584: xēros)

Unveiling the Word

The Greek word ξηρός (xēros) carries significant meaning in both physical and spiritual contexts throughout the New Testament. Understanding this word is crucial for biblical scholars and students as it often symbolizes lifelessness or barrenness. In the context of Matthew 12:10, where xēros is used to describe a man with a “withered hand,” it is more than a description of physical disability—it serves as a metaphor for spiritual stagnation or moral impotence, common themes in the teachings of Jesus. The word also appears in agricultural and natural contexts, where dry land or plants evoke spiritual realities.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: ξηρός (xēros), pronounced kseh-ros.

Etymology: The word xēros comes from the root meaning “dry” or “parched.” It is related to words describing dryness in nature, such as parched lands or withered plants, and it can also describe withered body parts or lifeless conditions.

Part of Speech: Xēros is an adjective and is most commonly used to describe physical dryness or the state of being withered, as seen in Matthew 12:10. Its usage can extend metaphorically to spiritual dryness or barrenness, where vitality is lacking.

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

Defining Meanings

1. Physically Dry or Withered: Xēros is often used to describe objects, land, or living things that are dried up, such as parched soil or a withered hand, as seen in Matthew 12:10: “And there was a man there with a withered [ξηρός] hand.”

2. Spiritually Lifeless or Barren: In a metaphorical sense, xēros represents spiritual barrenness or lifelessness. It is used in various scriptures to contrast fruitful or flourishing conditions with states of desolation or decay.

3. Unproductive or Barren Land: The word is also used to describe agricultural conditions where land or crops have dried up, emphasizing the lack of moisture and fertility.

Exploring Similar Words

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1. ξηραίνω (xērainō) [pronunciation: kseh-rah-ee-noh]: This verb means “to dry up” or “to wither” and shares the same root as xēros. While xērainō refers to the process of withering, xēros is the adjective that describes the state of being dried out or withered.

2. μαραίνω (marainō) [pronunciation: mah-rah-ee-noh]: This word also means “to wither” or “to fade,” often used in reference to beauty or vitality. It is similar in meaning to xēros but with more emphasis on decline over time.

3. ἀποξηραίνω (apoxērainō) [pronunciation: apo-kseh-rah-ee-noh]: This term means “to completely dry up” or “to become fully withered,” signifying total loss of life or productivity.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: Xēros is an adjective that modifies nouns and can appear in various cases depending on its grammatical function. It can be used in the nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative cases. For example, in Matthew 12:10, it appears in the nominative singular masculine form (ξηρός), describing a man’s withered hand.

Declension: Xēros follows the pattern of first and second declension Greek adjectives. It adjusts based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies, such as ξηρός (masculine singular), ξηρά (feminine singular), and ξηρόν (neuter singular).

For a beginner’s guide to understanding Greek grammar, click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word xēros holds deep metaphorical meaning in the New Testament, beyond its literal sense of physical dryness. Lexical sources emphasize how xēros is used to describe states of barrenness and lifelessness, whether in nature or human condition. In passages like Matthew 12:10, it reflects not only a physical ailment but also the spiritual condition of those needing healing. Lexicons such as BDAG and Thayer’s point to how the word reflects the desolation of both land and spirit, often used in contrast to flourishing or fruitful conditions.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 12:10: “And a man was there with a withered [ξηρός] hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’”

2. Mark 3:1: “He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered [ξηρός].”

3. Luke 6:6: “On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered [ξηρός].”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Phaedrus “The soil was dry (ξηρός) and barren.”

Herodotus Histories “The land became withered (ξηρός) after the drought.”

Septuagint Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither (ξηραίνεται).”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word xēros (Strong’s G3584) appears frequently in the New Testament and ancient literature to describe both physical and metaphorical states of withering or dryness. In the Gospels, it is used to describe a man’s withered hand, symbolizing not only physical disability but also a broader spiritual condition. Throughout the Bible and classical Greek literature, xēros illustrates the absence of life or productivity, serving as a reminder of the necessity of spiritual and physical nourishment.

Did You Know?

1. Xēros is the root of modern medical terms such as “xeroderma,” meaning dry skin.

2. In agricultural terms, xēros often symbolized the consequences of neglect or environmental conditions, linking to spiritual metaphors in scripture.

3. The image of withered hands or plants was commonly used in ancient Greek literature to convey moral or spiritual decay.