Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for deepening our interpretation of the New Testament and its cultural context. The Greek word ἰατρός (iatros), meaning “physician” or “doctor,” is significant not only in its direct usage within the Bible but also in its broader cultural implications. This word helps us understand the role of healers in ancient societies and provides insight into the healing ministry of Jesus and the apostles, who were often associated with physical and spiritual healing.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἰατρός, transliterated as iatros [ee-a-TROS].
• Etymology: Derived from the root ἰάομαι (iaomai), meaning “to heal” or “to cure.” The word carries the connotation of a person who practices medicine or provides healing.
• Part of Speech: Noun, masculine; follows the second declension pattern.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Physician: A person who practices medicine or is skilled in healing.
• Healer: A more general term emphasizing the function of healing rather than the professional role.

Similar Words: ἰαμα (iama), meaning “healing” or “remedy,” is closely related to ἰατρός. While ἰατρός specifically refers to a healer or doctor, ἰαμα denotes the act or result of healing. Another related word is ἰάομαι (iaomai), a verb meaning “to heal.” These terms all revolve around the concept of healing but differ in their grammatical usage—noun for a person, noun for the act or result, and verb for the action.

Further Insights: ἰατρός is a masculine noun and follows the second declension pattern in Greek. Below is the declension table for ἰατρός:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: The BDAG lexicon defines ἰατρός as a “physician,” noting its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts. The lexicon highlights that in biblical usage, the word often refers to those who practice physical healing, but it also has spiritual connotations.

Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon explains ἰατρός as “one who heals” and provides examples from biblical texts to illustrate its usage. Thayer’s also discusses the cultural role of physicians in the ancient world, emphasizing their prominence in society.

Vines: Vines Expository Dictionary identifies ἰατρός as a noun that denotes a physician or healer. It underscores the significance of the word in the context of Jesus’ ministry, where He is described as the “Great Physician” who heals both body and soul.

LSJ: The LSJ lexicon provides a broader context for ἰατρός outside of biblical literature, noting its use in classical Greek as a general term for a physician or healer. The term was commonly applied to individuals with medical knowledge in ancient Greece and Rome.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance lists ἰατρός as G2395 and provides references to its occurrences in the New Testament, particularly in passages where healing is a central theme. It also connects the term to its root ἰάομαι, illustrating its foundational meaning related to healing.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 9:12: “But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician [ἰατρός], but those who are sick.'”
• Mark 2:17: “And hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician [ἰατρός], but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'”
• Luke 4:23: “And He said to them, ‘No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician [ἰατρέ], heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’'”

Classical Usage

The word ἰατρός was widely used in classical Greek literature to refer to healers or physicians. Below are some examples from classical Greek authors:

In the Septuagint, ἰατρός is also used to translate Hebrew words for healer or physician, emphasizing its importance in both Greek and Jewish contexts.

Summary of ἰατρός (G2395)

The Greek word ἰατρός (iatros), meaning “physician” or “doctor,” plays a vital role in both biblical and classical Greek contexts. It appears in the New Testament in discussions about healing, emphasizing the importance of both physical and spiritual well-being. The term’s usage spans from classical Greek literature, where it denoted skilled healers, to the Septuagint and New Testament, where it carried additional theological significance. This word enriches our understanding of the New Testament’s themes of healing, restoration, and the holistic care of body and soul.

Did You Know?

• Did You Know? The word ἰατρός is the root of the modern English word “iatrogenic,” which refers to an illness caused by medical treatment.
• Did You Know? In ancient Greece, physicians (ἰατροί) were highly respected, and the Hippocratic Oath, still influential today, was named after the renowned Greek physician Hippocrates.
• Did You Know? Jesus’ reference to Himself as a physician in the Gospels is seen as a metaphor for His mission to heal not just physical ailments but also spiritual brokenness.

This overview of ἰατρός provides a comprehensive look at its linguistic, cultural, and theological significance in ancient Greek and biblical texts.