Brief Overview of πνικτός (Strong’s G4156: pniktos)

Strong’s G4156: An adjective meaning “strangled” or “suffocated,” specifically referring to meat from animals killed by strangulation without properly draining their blood. This term appears in the Jerusalem Council’s dietary restrictions for Gentile believers, reflecting important Jewish food laws and early Christian practice.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πνικτός specifically refers to meat from animals that have been strangled or suffocated rather than properly slaughtered with blood drainage. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the context of the Jerusalem Council’s dietary guidelines for Gentile believers. This term held significant importance in early church discussions about Jewish-Gentile relations and continues to inform contemporary discussions about Christian freedom, cultural sensitivity, and ethical food practices. The early church saw this prohibition as part of maintaining fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πνικτός, pniktos, /pnik-tos’/
• Detailed Pronunciation: p (plosive) + n (nasal) + ik (closed syllable) + tos (final syllable)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: πνιγ- (pnig-) from πνίγω (to strangle)
• Suffix: -τός (-tos) verbal adjective suffix indicating completed state
• Function: Forms an adjective describing the result of strangling/suffocating

D – Defining Meanings

• Strangled
• Suffocated
• Killed without blood drainage
• Choked to death

For compound words:
The root πνιγ- provides the meaning of strangling, while -τός indicates the completed state of being strangled

Translation Options:

• Strangled meat – Best captures the specific meaning in food contexts
• Meat from strangled animals – More explicit description
• Suffocated animals – Alternative emphasizing method of death

E – Exploring Similar Words

• θνησιμαῖος (thnēsimaios) /thnay-sim-ah’-yos/ – refers to animals that died naturally – See G2348
• αἷμα (haima) /hah’-ee-mah/ – refers to blood, often mentioned alongside πνικτός – See G129
• εἰδωλόθυτος (eidōlothytos) /i-do-loth’-oo-tos/ – refers to meat offered to idols – See G1494

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: 1st/2nd declension adjective

Examples:
Masculine: πνικτός, πνικτοῦ, πνικτῷ, πνικτόν
Feminine: πνικτή, πνικτῆς, πνικτῇ, πνικτήν
Neuter: πνικτόν, πνικτοῦ, πνικτῷ, πνικτόν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its specific dietary context. Thayer’s connects it to Jewish food laws. LSJ notes its technical use in food preparation. Vine’s highlights its role in early church regulations. Strong’s connects it to the verb πνίγω. LEH discusses its absence in the Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan note its use in commercial contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Acts 15:20: “But should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled [πνικτῶν], and from blood.”

Additional References:
Acts 15:29, Acts 21:25

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πνικτός represents an important aspect of early church unity, showing how the gospel breaks down barriers while respecting cultural sensitivities. It reminds us that the good news of Jesus Christ brings freedom while calling us to consider how our actions affect fellow believers.

D – Did You Know?

1. Πνικτός appears only three times in the New Testament, all in Acts
2. It was one of only four restrictions placed on Gentile believers by the Jerusalem Council
3. The prohibition continues in some Eastern Christian traditions today

Strong’s G4156: An adjective meaning “strangled” or “suffocated,” specifically referring to meat from animals killed by strangulation without properly draining their blood. This term appears in the Jerusalem Council’s dietary restrictions for Gentile believers, reflecting important Jewish food laws and early Christian practice.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: strangled, suffocated, dietary laws, Jerusalem Council, Jewish-Gentile relations, Acts, food regulations, early church, Christian unity, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, cultural sensitivity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​