Divine Wholeness: ὑγιής (Strong’s G5199: hygies) Reveals Complete Restoration

Strong’s G5199: An adjective denoting complete soundness and wholeness, particularly in healing contexts. Used of physical healing in the Gospels and metaphorically of spiritual soundness in the epistles. Implies restoration to original, intended state of health and functionality.

U- Unveiling the Word

The adjective ὑγιής carries profound significance in both biblical and cultural contexts, representing more than mere absence of illness but complete wholeness and restoration. In the Gospels, it frequently appears in healing narratives where the Messiah restores people to perfect health, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. The word emphasizes the completeness of healing – not just an improvement but a total restoration to the intended state of health. Early church fathers expanded its usage to describe spiritual wholeness and doctrinal soundness, drawing parallels between physical healing and spiritual restoration. Today, this word reminds us that true healing encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, pointing to the Messiah’s power to make us completely whole.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑγιής, hygies, /hoo-gee-ACE/
• Detailed pronunciation: hoo (as in “who”) – gee (as in “geese”) – ACE (as in “face”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: ὑγι- (hygi-) meaning “health, soundness”
• Suffix: -ής (-es) adjectival ending indicating state or quality
• Forms the basis of modern medical terms like “hygiene”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. Physically whole or healthy
2. Sound, well, in good health
3. Complete, intact
4. Spiritually sound

For compound words: Not applicable as this is a simple stem with adjectival suffix

Translation Options:

1. “Whole” – emphasizes completeness of restoration
2. “Sound” – captures both physical and spiritual dimensions
3. “Healthy” – most common but may miss deeper implications

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὑγιαίνω (hygiaino) /hoo-gee-AH-ee-no/ – verb form meaning “to be healthy” See G5198
• ὁλόκληρος (holokleros) /hol-OK-lay-ros/ – complete in all parts See G3648
• σῴζω (sozo) /SODE-zo/ – to save, heal, make whole See G4982

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjective Features:

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular and Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Third

Examples:

• ὑγιής (masculine/feminine nominative singular)
• ὑγιές (neuter nominative/accusative singular)
• ὑγιοῦς (genitive singular)
• ὑγιεῖς (masculine/feminine nominative/accusative plural)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s fundamental meaning of soundness and completeness in both physical and spiritual contexts. Thayer’s notes its use in medical terminology and its metaphorical extension to spiritual health. LSJ provides extensive documentation of its use in classical medical texts. Vine’s highlights its connection to wholeness rather than mere recovery from illness. Moulton and Milligan note its frequent appearance in papyri regarding health certificates and medical reports. The lexicons unanimously emphasize that ὑγιής indicates complete restoration rather than partial improvement, making it particularly significant in miraculous healing accounts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 12:13: “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored [ὑγιής] as the other.”

Additional References:
Matthew 15:31
Mark 3:5
Mark 5:34
John 5:6
John 5:9
John 5:11
John 5:14
John 5:15
John 7:23

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The concept of ὑγιής powerfully illustrates the Messiah’s ministry of complete restoration. When He healed, He didn’t merely alleviate symptoms but restored people to complete wholeness. This physical healing points to the deeper spiritual restoration He offers – making us completely whole in spirit, soul, and body. The good news is that through His redemptive work, we can experience this complete restoration, being made whole as God intended. This wholeness extends beyond individual healing to the restoration of all creation, pointing to the ultimate healing that will come when the Messiah returns.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word forms the root of many modern medical terms including “hygiene”
2. In ancient Greek medicine, it was associated with perfect balance of bodily humors
3. It appears most frequently in John’s Gospel, often in connection with Sabbath healings

Strong’s G5199: An adjective denoting complete soundness and wholeness, particularly in healing contexts. Used of physical healing in the Gospels and metaphorically of spiritual soundness in the epistles. Implies restoration to original, intended state of health and functionality.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: healing, wholeness, restoration, health, soundness, miracles, gospel, john, sabbath, medicine, hygiene, spiritual health, physical healing, divine healing, complete restoration​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​