Brief Overview of πυρέσσω (Strong’s G4445: puressō)

Strong’s G4445: A verb specifically denoting the condition of having a fever or being sick with fever. In New Testament usage, appears in healing narratives demonstrating Christ’s power over illness. From πυρετός (fever), derived from πῦρ (fire), reflecting ancient understanding of fever as internal heat.

U- Unveiling the Word

πυρέσσω specifically describes the condition of being afflicted with fever, drawing on the ancient understanding of fever as an internal fire or burning. In New Testament usage, it appears in healing narratives, particularly in the synoptic gospels’ accounts of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. The word carries medical precision while also serving as a testament to Christ’s healing power. Early church fathers saw in these fever healings a demonstration of Christ’s authority over both physical and spiritual afflictions. Today, this word continues to remind us of Christ’s compassion and power to heal, while also serving as a metaphor for spiritual burning that needs divine cooling.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πυρέσσω, puressō, /pyˈresso/
• Pronunciation Guide: “poo-RESS-so” (stress on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: πυρ- (pur-) from πῦρ meaning “fire”
• Suffix: -εσσω (-essō) – verbal suffix indicating state or condition
• Forms denominative verb from πυρετός (fever)

D – Defining Meanings

• To be sick with fever
• To burn with fever
• To be feverish
• To experience elevated body temperature

For compound words:
The suffix -εσσω transforms the root meaning of “fire” into a state of being affected by internal heat

Translation Options:

• To have a fever – Most precise medical translation
• To be feverish – Captures the ongoing state
• To burn with fever – Maintains connection to fire etymology

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πυρετός (puretos) /pyreˈtos/ – noun form meaning “fever” – See G4446
• καύσων (kausōn) /ˈkawson/ – burning heat or fever – See G2742
• φλέγω (phlegō) /fleˈgo/ – to burn or be inflamed – See G5394

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features (Verb):

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive

Examples:

• Present Active Participle: πυρέσσουσα (being feverish)
• Imperfect: ἐπύρεσσε (was feverish)
• Present Indicative: πυρέσσει (has a fever)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the medical precision of the term. Thayer’s notes its derivation from πυρετός and connection to πῦρ. LSJ provides examples from medical literature. Vine’s highlights its use in miracle narratives. Strong’s connects it to concepts of burning or internal heat. LEH traces its Septuagint usage in medical contexts. Moulton and Milligan show its technical medical usage in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed [πυρέσσουσαν] with a fever.” Matthew 8:14

Additional References:
Mark 1:30

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πυρέσσω reminds us of Christ’s power and willingness to heal. In the gospel accounts, Jesus’s healing of fever demonstrates his authority over illness and his compassion for human suffering. This word proclaims the good news by showing that Jesus cares about our physical afflictions and has power to heal them, pointing to his ultimate healing of our spiritual condition through his death and resurrection.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word’s connection to fire (πῦρ) reflects ancient medical understanding of fever as internal combustion.
2. Early Christian healing practices often included prayers referencing Jesus’s healing of fever.
3. The term influenced medical vocabulary across many languages, contributing to words like “pyrexia.”

Strong’s G4445: A specific medical term denoting the condition of having a fever, derived from words for fire and burning. Used in New Testament healing narratives to demonstrate Christ’s power over illness. Reflects ancient medical understanding while serving theological purposes.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: fever, illness, healing, miracle, Peter’s mother-in-law, medical condition, Jesus’s healing, sickness, temperature, burning, disease, divine healing​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​