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Unveiling the Word

In the study of the New Testament, understanding the original Greek words provides deeper insights into the text’s meaning and context. One such word is κυλλός (kyllos), which appears in Matthew 15:30 and is used to describe a physical condition. This word is significant not only for its direct meaning in describing certain physical disabilities but also for its metaphorical implications in understanding spiritual or societal limitations. In ancient Greek culture, words like κυλλός were used not just to refer to physical attributes but often carried deeper connotations relating to a person’s status or perceived worth.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κυλλός (kyllos) [KY-lohs]
Etymology: The word κυλλός comes from a root that implies something bent, twisted, or crippled. It is likely derived from a base word related to curvature or deformity, reflecting the visible manifestation of the condition it describes.

Part of Speech: Adjective. κυλλός is an adjective used to describe something or someone as being deformed, particularly in terms of having a bent or twisted limb. It does not follow regular declension patterns but has specific forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

Meaning 1: Bent or Crooked
The primary meaning of κυλλός is “bent” or “crooked.” This directly describes a physical condition where a limb, such as a hand or foot, is not straight or properly aligned.

Meaning 2: Crippled or Lame
The word also refers to someone who is “crippled” or “lame,” emphasizing a more severe form of deformity or disability. This is often how the word is understood in biblical contexts, where it is used to describe individuals who come to Jesus for healing.

Exploring Similar Words

χωλός (chōlos) [KHO-los]: This word means “lame” and is used to describe someone who is disabled in their legs, making it difficult to walk. Unlike κυλλός, which can refer to any bent or deformed limb, χωλός is more specific to walking impairments.

σκολιός (skolios) [sko-LEE-os]: Meaning “crooked” or “curved,” this word often refers to something that is not straight, like a road or a moral path. It differs from κυλλός by focusing on moral or abstract crookedness rather than physical deformity.

ἀνάπηρος (anapēros) [a-NA-pe-ros]: This term refers to someone who is “disabled” or “maimed.” It is broader in scope than κυλλός, encompassing a range of physical disabilities rather than the specific bent or twisted form implied by κυλλός.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For Nouns/Adjectives:

• Case, Number, Gender: κυλλός is an adjective that follows standard Greek agreement rules in gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), number (singular, plural), and case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative). For example, the masculine form in the nominative singular is κυλλός, while the feminine form is κυλλή and the neuter is κυλλόν.
• Declension: κυλλός follows the first and second declension patterns in Greek. Here is a declension table for the adjective in the nominative case:

For a more comprehensive understanding of Greek declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word κυλλός is examined in various lexicons, revealing its use primarily in describing physical disabilities. In the New Testament, κυλλός often appears in contexts where Jesus heals those who are “lame” or “deformed,” symbolizing both physical restoration and spiritual redemption. Classical usage of the word also aligns with this focus on physical deformity, where it is used to denote people who have a bent or twisted limb. In theological terms, this word can signify more than just physical healing but also the correction of moral or spiritual ‘deformities.’

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

Matthew 15:30: “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled [κυλλός], the mute, and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.”

Matthew 18:8: “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled [κυλλός] than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The word κυλλός (kyllos) provides an important perspective on the understanding of disability in both physical and spiritual senses within biblical texts. It highlights the transformative power of healing in the New Testament, where Jesus addresses not only physical ailments but also the broader implications of wholeness and restoration. The term also reflects cultural attitudes toward disability in ancient Greece, where physical deformities often carried deeper social and moral connotations.

Did You Know?

• Did you know? The word κυλλός was often used metaphorically in ancient literature to describe moral ‘crookedness’ or corrupt behavior, much like how we use ‘crooked’ in English today.
• Did you know? In the Septuagint, κυλλός appears in contexts referring to those excluded from certain religious rites, reflecting the social challenges faced by those with physical disabilities.
• Did you know? The Greek physician Hippocrates used the term κυλλός to describe specific orthopedic conditions, showing its practical application in medical literature of the time.