Divine Protection: φραγμός (Strong’s G5418: phragmos) Secures God’s Vineyard

Strong’s G5418: A fence or partition, derived from φράσσω (to fence or enclose), signifying a protective barrier or enclosure used both literally and metaphorically in biblical contexts to represent divine protection and spiritual boundaries.

U- Unveiling the Word

The term φραγμός carries profound significance in both practical and theological contexts. Its primary meaning of a fence or hedge extends beyond mere physical barriers to represent divine protection and spiritual boundaries. In the New Testament, it appears prominently in parables about vineyards, symbolizing God’s protective care over His people and the distinction between sacred and secular spaces. Early church fathers often interpreted φραγμός as representing God’s law and commandments that protect His people from spiritual harm. Today, this concept remains relevant as believers seek to understand divine protection and spiritual boundaries in their faith journey.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φραγμός, phragmos, frag-mos’
• Pronunciation: FRAHG-mohs (φ as in ‘foot’, ρ rolled slightly, α as in ‘father’, γμ as ‘gm’ in ‘paradigm’, ό as in ‘off’, ς as ‘s’)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

• Root: φράσσω (phrasso) – to fence in, block, or stop up
• Suffix: -μός (-mos) – forms nouns indicating result of action
• Function: Creates a concrete noun describing the result of fencing or blocking

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary fence or hedge
• Partition wall
• Protective enclosure
• Metaphorical boundary

For compound words: Not a compound word, but derived from φράσσω with the -μός suffix indicating the result of the action of fencing.

Translation Options:

1. “Fence” – Best captures the physical barrier aspect
2. “Hedge” – Emphasizes the natural barrier concept
3. “Partition” – Highlights the separating function

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τεῖχος (teichos, TEI-khos) – city wall, more substantial than φραγμός G5038
• μεσότοιχον (mesotoichon, me-so-TOI-khon) – middle wall, specific to dividing structures G3320
• φυλακή (phylake, phy-la-KE) – guard, watch, prison G5438

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Morphological Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Example morphological forms:

• Nominative singular: φραγμός
• Genitive singular: φραγμοῦ
• Dative singular: φραγμῷ
• Accusative singular: φραγμόν

Related words:

• Verb form: φράσσω (to fence)
• Adjective form: φρακτός (fenced)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The comprehensive analysis of φραγμός across major lexicons reveals its rich semantic range. BDAG emphasizes its concrete meaning as a fence or wall, particularly in agricultural settings, while also noting its metaphorical usage in theological contexts. Thayer’s highlights its connection to vineyard imagery in Jesus’s parables. LSJ provides evidence of its usage in classical Greek for military fortifications. Vine’s expands on its metaphorical significance in Ephesians 2:14. Strong’s connects it to the concept of protection, while Moulton and Milligan provide papyrological evidence of its use in property contracts. LEH adds insight from Septuagint usage, particularly in agricultural contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about [φραγμός], and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country” Matthew 21:33

Additional References:
Mark 12:1
Luke 14:23
Ephesians 2:14

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The φραγμός concept beautifully illustrates God’s protective care over His people. In the vineyard parables, it represents divine protection and provision, showing how God establishes boundaries for our spiritual welfare. This word reminds us that in Christ, while former dividing walls have been broken down between people groups, God still maintains protective boundaries around His church. The good news shines through as we understand that God’s protective barriers aren’t meant to restrict but to preserve and nurture our spiritual growth in Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word φραγμός appears in ancient Greek agricultural manuals describing optimal vineyard protection techniques
2. Early Christian catacomb designs sometimes incorporated the φραγμός concept in their layout
3. The term influenced early Christian architecture, particularly in monastery design

Strong’s G5418: A fence or partition, derived from φράσσω (to fence or enclose), signifying a protective barrier or enclosure used both literally and metaphorically in biblical contexts to represent divine protection and spiritual boundaries.

Part of speech: Noun (Masculine)

Tags: protection, boundary, fence, vineyard, partition, barrier, divine-protection, spiritual-boundaries, parables, church-architecture