Brief Overview of σκωληκόβρωτος (Strong’s G4662: skōlēkobrōtos)

Strong’s G4662: A compound adjective meaning “eaten by worms.” From σκώληξ (worm) and βιβρώσκω (to eat). Used in Acts to describe Herod Agrippa I’s death, emphasizing divine judgment on those who accept divine honors. Represents God’s judgment on human pride.

U- Unveiling the Word

σκωληκόβρωτος is a vivid compound word describing the gruesome fate of being consumed by worms. In its sole New Testament appearance, it describes God’s judgment on Herod Agrippa I for accepting divine honors. The term carries profound theological significance as an example of divine judgment on human pride and self-deification. Early church fathers often cited this account when warning against pride and the danger of usurping God’s glory. Today, it continues to serve as a powerful reminder of God’s opposition to pride and the importance of giving glory to Him alone.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σκωληκόβρωτος, skōlēkobrōtos, /sko-lay-kob’-ro-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: ‘sko’ as in “score,” ‘lay’ as in “lay,” ‘kob’ as in “cob,” ‘ro’ as in “row,” ‘tos’ as in “toss”
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• First component: σκώληξ (skōlēx) – worm
• Second component: βρωτός (brōtos) – eaten, from βιβρώσκω (bibrōskō) – to eat
• Compound formation combining “worm” and “eaten”

D – Defining Meanings

• Eaten or consumed by worms
• Worm-eaten
• Destroyed by worms

For compound words: σκώληξ (worm) combines with βρωτός (eaten) to describe something or someone consumed by worms, emphasizing both the agent (worms) and the process (being eaten)

Translation Options:

• “Worm-eaten” – Most literal compound translation
• “Consumed by worms” – More descriptive translation
• “Devoured by worms” – Emphasizes violent nature of consumption

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σήπω (sēpō) /say’-po/ – to make corrupt or rotten See G4595
• διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō) /dee-af-thi’-ro/ – to corrupt thoroughly See G1311
• κατεσθίω (katesthiō) /kat-es-thee’-o/ – to devour entirely See G2719

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second/First

Examples:

• Masculine: σκωληκόβρωτος (worm-eaten)
• Feminine: σκωληκόβρωτη (worm-eaten)
• Neuter: σκωληκόβρωτον (worm-eaten)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in divine judgment contexts. Thayer’s notes its graphic physical description. LSJ provides examples from medical literature. Vine’s connects it to Old Testament judgment imagery. Strong’s highlights its compound nature. Moulton and Milligan document similar descriptions in ancient medical texts. LEH traces its connection to Septuagint descriptions of divine punishment.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms [σκωληκόβρωτος], and gave up the ghost.” Acts 12:23

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σκωληκόβρωτος powerfully illustrates God’s judgment on human pride and self-exaltation. The word promotes the Gospel by showing God’s opposition to those who usurp His glory, while implicitly highlighting Christ’s humility in becoming human to save us. It reminds us that true greatness comes through humility before God.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient medical texts used this term to describe certain diseases and conditions.
2. Josephus’s account of Herod’s death parallels Luke’s description using similar terminology.
3. Early Christian martyrdom accounts sometimes referenced this word when describing God’s judgment on persecutors.

Strong’s G4662: A compound adjective combining “worm” and “eaten,” describing consumption by worms. Used once in NT to describe divine judgment on Herod Agrippa I for accepting divine honors. Represents God’s opposition to human pride and self-deification.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: divine-judgment, pride, herod, worms, death, divine-honor, acts, luke, judgment, humility, biblical-greek, new-testament, historical-account​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​