Brief Overview of ῥάκος (Strong’s G4470: rhakos)

Strong’s G4470: A noun meaning “piece of cloth,” particularly referring to a torn or unfinished piece used for patches. In New Testament usage, appears in Jesus’s parable about new cloth on old garments, illustrating spiritual principles about the newness of His kingdom.

U- Unveiling the Word

ῥάκος represents a piece of cloth, specifically an untreated or unfinished patch that would shrink and potentially cause more damage. In Jesus’s teaching, it becomes a powerful metaphor for the incompatibility of old and new covenant practices. The term carries both practical and spiritual significance, illustrating how the gospel requires complete renewal rather than superficial patching. Early church fathers saw in this word a profound lesson about the transformative nature of Christ’s teaching. Today, this word continues to remind us that the gospel calls for complete transformation rather than partial reform.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥάκος, rhakos, /ˈrakos/
• Pronunciation Guide: “RAH-kos” (stress on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)

Etymology:

• Root: ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnumi) meaning “to break, tear”
• Suffix: -ος (-os) common noun ending
• Indicates something torn or broken

D – Defining Meanings

• Piece of cloth
• Patch material
• Unfinished cloth
• Torn fabric

Translation Options:

• Patch – Most common translation
• Undressed cloth – Emphasizes untreated nature
• Raw fabric – Highlights unfinished state

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἱμάτιον (himation) /hiˈmation/ – garment, cloak – See G2440
• ἔνδυμα (enduma) /ˈendyma/ – clothing – See G1742
• χιτών (chitōn) /khiˈton/ – tunic, garment – See G5509

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features (Noun):

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second

Examples:

• Nominative: ῥάκος (patch)
• Genitive: ῥάκους (of a patch)
• Dative: ῥάκει (to/with a patch)
• Accusative: ῥάκος (patch as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its reference to untreated cloth. Thayer’s notes its connection to mending practices. LSJ provides examples from textile contexts. Vine’s highlights its metaphorical significance. Strong’s connects it to patching and repair. LEH traces similar terms in practical contexts. Moulton and Milligan show its use in everyday textile terminology.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“No one puts a piece of [ῥάκος] unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made.” Matthew 9:16

Additional References:
Mark 2:21

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ῥάκος powerfully illustrates the radical nature of Christ’s new covenant. The parable proclaims the good news by showing that Jesus brings complete renewal, not mere patching of old systems. This word reminds us that the gospel calls for total transformation rather than superficial religious reforms.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term was commonly used in ancient textile trade documents.
2. Early Christian writers used this image to discuss conversion versus reform.
3. The word influenced Christian vocabulary about spiritual transformation.

Strong’s G4470: A noun referring to untreated cloth used for patching. Used metaphorically in Jesus’s teaching to illustrate the incompatibility of old and new covenant practices. Emphasizes the need for complete spiritual transformation rather than partial reform.

Part of speech: Noun (neuter)

Tags: cloth, patch, garment, parable, renewal, transformation, new covenant, Jesus’s teaching, metaphor, spiritual change, reform, restoration​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​