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Unveiling the Word

The Greek word μύλος (mýlos) is essential to understanding several vivid metaphors in the New Testament, particularly those involving serious consequences and judgment. This word appears in Matthew 18:6, where Jesus speaks of a millstone being tied around someone’s neck and thrown into the sea. The term represents more than just a tool; it symbolizes the weight of responsibility and the severity of punishment for causing others, especially the innocent, to stumble. In ancient Greek culture, millstones were vital to daily life, used to grind grain into flour, making them common, yet powerful symbols.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μύλος (mýlos), pronounced MOO-los.

Etymology: Derived from an earlier Greek term that also means “mill” or “millstone,” mýlos is related to the verb mylein, meaning “to grind.” The word indicates a large stone used in the grinding process, typically turned by animals or humans.

Part of Speech: Noun. Mýlos is a masculine noun, used to refer to millstones or mills. In New Testament usage, it often conveys both literal and metaphorical meanings, associated with weight and severity, particularly in the context of judgment.

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Defining Meanings

1. Millstone: The primary meaning of mýlos refers to a large stone used in grinding grain into flour. This object was a daily tool in ancient agrarian societies.

2. Metaphorical Weight or Burden: In passages like Matthew 18:6, mýlos symbolizes a burden or severe punishment, demonstrating the consequences of causing harm to others, especially to those vulnerable.

Exploring Similar Words

1. λίθος (líthos) [pronunciation: LEE-thos]: A general term for “stone” or “rock,” líthos is used more broadly, while mýlos refers specifically to a millstone.

2. σπόρος (spóros) [pronunciation: SPOH-ros]: This word means “seed” or “grain” and is often associated with agricultural terms like mýlos in farming contexts, although spóros focuses on the seed being processed.

3. κρίθινος (krithinos) [pronunciation: KREE-thee-nos]: Meaning “of barley,” this word can be related to mýlos in the sense that barley and other grains were ground with millstones.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nouns:

μύλος is a second-declension masculine noun. Below is its declension in singular and plural:

Case Singular Plural

Nominative μύλος μύλοι

Genitive μύλου μύλων

Dative μύλῳ μύλοις

Accusative μύλον μύλους

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Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicon entries on mýlos highlight its physical and metaphorical use. In a literal sense, mýlos refers to the large stones used to grind grain, a critical part of daily life in the ancient world. In metaphorical contexts, particularly in the New Testament, it often symbolizes a heavy burden or judgment. In Matthew 18:6, for example, it represents the severe consequence awaiting those who lead others into sin. Various lexicons agree on this dual significance, noting the historical importance of millstones in ancient society and their figurative weight in religious and moral teachings.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 18:6 – “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone [μύλος] were fastened around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

2. Revelation 18:21 – “Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone [μύλος] and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence.’”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work English Text with Greek Word

Homer Iliad “The women ground grain with the heavy millstone [μύλος].”

Plato Republic “He spoke of the millstone [μύλος] as essential to household work.”

Septuagint Deuteronomy “You shall not take a millstone [μύλος] as a pledge, for it is a man’s life.”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word μύλος (mýlos) is a fundamental noun representing both the literal millstone used for grinding grain and the symbolic weight of judgment, as seen in Matthew 18:6. Millstones were a crucial part of everyday life in ancient agrarian societies, and their use in metaphors conveyed powerful messages about moral responsibility and consequences. In the New Testament, mýlos vividly illustrates the severity of leading others into sin, particularly when referring to children or vulnerable individuals. This word’s dual meaning enriches our understanding of the societal and spiritual significance it held in the ancient world.

Did You Know?

1. Millstones in ancient times were often so large that they required animals to turn them, adding to the imagery of a burdensome weight.

2. Millstones were a common pledge for loans in ancient Israel, but Deuteronomy forbids taking them as collateral since they were essential for survival.

3. The image of a millstone in Revelation 18:21 symbolizes the final, total destruction of Babylon, emphasizing its irreversible fate.