G3459

Unveiling the Word

In Biblical studies, the understanding of Greek words such as μύλων (mýlōn) can enhance comprehension of both cultural practices and theological concepts embedded in the text. Found in Matthew 24:41, μύλων refers to a mill or a millstone, a critical tool in the daily life of ancient societies. Millstones were essential for grinding grain into flour, a process that supported both households and large-scale food production. The use of μύλων in this particular context also points to daily, routine labor—drawing connections between ordinary life and the spiritual lessons embedded in Scripture. The word also carries metaphorical weight, symbolizing labor and the constancy of human effort.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μύλων (mýlōn), pronounced MOO-lohn.

Etymology: The word μύλων stems from the root μύλος (mýlos), which also means “mill” or “millstone.” It is a compound of μῦλος (mýlos), which refers to the millstone itself, and the suffix -ων, a marker for nouns.

Part of Speech: Noun (masculine). μύλων is specifically a place noun, denoting where the act of milling occurs, i.e., the mill itself. It signifies a physical location where grain is ground into flour using large stones, often turned by animals or people.

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Defining Meanings

1. Mill: The primary meaning of μύλων refers to a mill, the structure or location where milling takes place. It is a noun used to describe the place where the millstones are housed and operated.

2. Grinding Process: μύλων can also allude to the action associated with milling, implying the steady, repetitive labor of grinding grains, a fundamental daily task in ancient times.

Exploring Similar Words

1. μύλος (mýlos) [pronunciation: MOO-los]: Refers specifically to the millstone itself, the large, heavy stones used in the milling process. Mýlos is a related term that often works in tandem with μύλων, as the millstone operates within the mill.

2. ἄλευρον (áleuron) [pronunciation: AL-yoor-on]: Meaning “flour,” this word refers to the product of the milling process. It highlights the connection between the structure (μύλων) and the output (ἄλευρον).

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

μύλων is a masculine noun of the third declension. Below is its declension in singular and plural:

Case Singular Plural

Nominative μύλων μύλωνες

Genitive μύλωνος μύλωνων

Dative μύλωνι μύλωσιν

Accusative μύλωνα μύλωνες

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Studying Lexicon Insights

According to key lexicons, μύλων refers consistently to a mill, a building or place where grinding takes place. The term is used in contexts that refer to labor, sustenance, and daily activities related to food production. In theological terms, the mill is sometimes seen as a metaphor for human effort and the constancy of divine providence. In Matthew 24:41, the image of two women grinding at the mill highlights daily work as a setting for sudden divine intervention, where ordinary life continues alongside moments of spiritual significance.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 24:41 – “Two women will be grinding at the mill [μύλων]; one will be taken and one left.”

2. Luke 17:35 – “Two women will be grinding together [μύλων]; one will be taken and the other left.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work English Text with Greek Word

Homer Iliad “The women ground grain at the mill [μύλων].”

Aristophanes Lysistrata “The mill [μύλων] was kept busy, grinding ceaselessly.”

Septuagint Exodus 11:5 “All the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the one who is behind the mill [μύλων].”

Noteworthy Summary

μύλων (mýlōn), found in Matthew 24:41, represents the mill, a vital structure in ancient society where grain was ground into flour. This term not only signifies a physical place of labor but also carries metaphorical weight in the Bible, highlighting both the regularity of daily work and moments of divine interruption. Whether used in literal or metaphorical contexts, μύλων embodies the themes of sustenance, effort, and the intersection of the mundane with the spiritual in biblical interpretation. Its usage in classical Greek literature and the Septuagint further underscores the mill’s importance in ancient culture.

Did You Know?

1. Mills were often community hubs in ancient times, with large mills serving whole villages or towns.

2. The process of milling, especially for women, was a labor-intensive daily task that took many hours.

3. Millstones used in μύλων were sometimes so large that animals were needed to turn them, symbolizing the heaviness of responsibility and the effort involved.