Brief Overview of παροιμία (Strong’s G3942: paroimia)

Strong’s G3942: A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶμος (way/path), meaning “proverb, parable, figurative saying.” Used in John’s Gospel for Jesus’s figurative teachings and in 2 Peter regarding prophetic wisdom. Describes truth conveyed through comparison or metaphorical language.

U- Unveiling the Word

παροιμία represents a method of teaching through comparison, whether by proverb, parable, or figurative saying. In John, it describes Jesus’s teaching style, particularly in the Good Shepherd discourse. The compound structure suggests speech that runs alongside literal meaning. Early church fathers used this term to discuss Jesus’s teaching methods and the interpretation of Scripture. Today, it informs our understanding of biblical metaphor and figurative interpretation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παροιμία, paroimia, /par-oy-MEE-ah/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + oy (as in ‘boy’) + MEE (stressed) + ah
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside
• οἶμος (oimos): way, path
• -ία (-ia): abstract noun ending

D – Defining Meanings

• Proverb
• Parable
• Figurative saying

For compound words:
παρα- combines with οἶμος to suggest meaning that runs alongside the obvious, creating extended metaphor

Translation Options:

• “Parable” – emphasizes teaching aspect
• “Proverb” – highlights wisdom aspect
• “Figure of speech” – emphasizes metaphorical nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• παραβολή (parabolē) /par-ab-ol-AY/ – parable, more detailed comparison
• αἴνιγμα (ainigma) /AY-nig-ma/ – riddle
• ἀλληγορία (allēgoria) /al-ay-gor-EE-ah/ – allegory

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, παροιμία exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: 1st

Examples:
παροιμία (nom. sing.)
παροιμίας (gen. sing.)
παροιμίαι (nom. pl.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in figurative speech. Thayer’s notes its wisdom literature connections. LSJ documents classical usage for proverbs. Vine’s highlights its distinction from παραβολή. Moulton and Milligan note its common usage in ancient wisdom texts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“This [παροιμία] figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them” (John 10:6)

Additional References:
John 16:25, John 16:29, 2 Peter 2:22

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παροιμία represents figurative teaching through comparison, particularly significant in John’s Gospel for describing Jesus’s method of revealing spiritual truth through metaphor.

D – Did You Know?

• The term differs from παραβολή in emphasizing shorter, proverbial sayings
• It appears extensively in the Greek version of Proverbs
• The word influenced early Christian biblical interpretation methods

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶμος (way/path), meaning “proverb, parable, figurative saying.” Used in John’s Gospel for Jesus’s figurative teachings and in 2 Peter regarding prophetic wisdom. Describes truth conveyed through comparison or metaphorical language.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: #noun #parable #proverb #jesus_teaching #john_gospel #metaphor #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #wisdom_literature​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​