Brief Overview of ῥύσις (Strong’s G4511: rhusis)

Strong’s G4511: From ῥέω (to flow), ῥύσις refers to a flowing or discharge, particularly of blood. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of the woman with an issue of blood, representing both physical affliction and ceremonial uncleanness, highlighting Jesus’s power to heal and restore.

U- Unveiling the Word

The term ῥύσις carries significant medical, social, and theological implications in its New Testament usage. Primarily denoting a flow or discharge, particularly of blood, it appears in the context of the woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5:25). This condition rendered her ceremonially unclean according to Levitical law, leading to social isolation and religious exclusion. The early church understood this term as representing not just physical ailment but spiritual bondage from which Christ offers liberation. Today, this word reminds us of Jesus’s power to heal not only physical afflictions but also to restore those who are socially and spiritually marginalized.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥύσις, rhusis, /hroo’-sis/
• Pronunciation Guide: “hroo” (like ‘roof’ without the ‘f’), “sis” (like ‘cease’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: ῥέω (rheō) – to flow
• Suffix: -σις (-sis) – forms an abstract noun indicating action or process
• Combined meaning: the act or state of flowing

D – Defining Meanings

• A flowing or discharge
• A hemorrhage
• A continuous flow
• A medical condition involving discharge

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but the -σις suffix transforms the verbal idea of flowing into a noun describing the action or state

Translation Options:

• “flow” – emphasizes the continuous nature of the condition
• “discharge” – medical terminology that captures the precise meaning
• “hemorrhage” – specific to blood flow context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• αἱμορροέω (haimorrhoeo) /hahy-mor-hreh’-o/ – to flow with blood See G131 – specific to bleeding
• πηγή (pēgē) /pay-gay’/ – fountain, source See G4077 – refers to the source of flowing
• βρύω (bryō) /broo’-o/ – to gush forth See G1032 – emphasizes forceful flowing

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Third declension

Example forms:

• Nominative singular: ῥύσις
• Genitive singular: ῥύσεως
• Dative singular: ῥύσει
• Accusative singular: ῥύσιν

Cross-references:

• Related verb: ῥέω (to flow)
• Related adjective: ῥυτός (flowing)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes ῥύσις’s medical significance in describing abnormal bodily discharge. Thayer’s connects it to Levitical purity laws and their implications. LSJ provides extensive documentation of its usage in Greek medical literature. Vine’s highlights its specific application to the woman with the issue of blood. Strong’s traces its etymology to ῥέω. LEH notes its usage in the Septuagint regarding ceremonial uncleanness. Moulton and Milligan demonstrate its technical medical usage in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

A woman who had had a hemorrhage of blood for twelve years (Mark 5:25)

Additional References:
Luke 8:43
Luke 8:44

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ῥύσις powerfully illustrates how physical ailments often carried deep social and spiritual implications in biblical times. Through the narrative of the woman with the issue of blood, we see King Jesus breaking through barriers of ceremonial uncleanness to bring healing and restoration. This demonstrates His power not only to heal physical conditions but to restore people to full communion with God and community, offering hope to all who feel marginalized or unclean.

D – Did You Know?

1. In ancient Greek medical texts, ῥύσις was a technical term used in describing various medical conditions.
2. The word influenced early Christian understanding of healing miracles and their spiritual significance.
3. Ancient Jewish purification rituals specifically addressed conditions described by ῥύσις.

Strong’s G4511: From ῥέω (to flow), ῥύσις refers to a flowing or discharge, particularly of blood. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of the woman with an issue of blood, representing both physical affliction and ceremonial uncleanness, highlighting Jesus’s power to heal and restore.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: hemorrhage, flow, discharge, healing, ceremonial uncleanness, woman with issue of blood, Mark’s Gospel, Luke’s Gospel, medical condition, restoration​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​