Brief Overview of σκῦλον (Strong’s G4661: skulon)

Strong’s G4661: A neuter noun meaning spoils or plunder taken from a defeated enemy. Originally referred to arms and armor stripped from fallen warriors. In NT usage, appears in Jesus’s parable of the strong man, symbolizing Satan’s possessions being seized by a stronger one (Christ).

U- Unveiling the Word

σκῦλον carries significant military connotations, originally referring to the spoils of war, particularly weapons and armor stripped from defeated enemies. In the New Testament, Jesus employs this term in His parable of the strong man being overcome by a stronger one, using it to illustrate spiritual warfare and His victory over Satan. Early church fathers expanded on this imagery, using the term to describe Christ’s triumph over evil powers and the redemption of souls from Satan’s dominion. Today, it continues to powerfully illustrate Christ’s complete victory over evil and His reclaiming of what the enemy has stolen.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σκῦλον, skulon, /skoo’-lon/
• Detailed pronunciation: ‘skoo’ as in “school,” ‘lon’ as in “loan”
• Part of Speech: Noun (Neuter)

Etymology:

• Root: σκυλ- (skyl-) – related to stripping or tearing away
• Suffix: -ον (-on) – common neuter noun ending
• Related to verb σκύλλω (to tear or draw away)

D – Defining Meanings

• Spoils of war
• Plunder taken from enemies
• Arms and armor stripped from fallen foes
• Booty or prize seized in victory

For compound words: Not a compound word, but a basic noun derived from the action of stripping enemies

Translation Options:

• “Spoils” – Best captures military context
• “Plunder” – Emphasizes violent seizure aspect
• “Booty” – More general term for seized goods

E – Exploring Similar Words

• λάφυρον (laphyron) /laf’-oo-ron/ – spoils of war See G3013
• ἅρπαγμα (harpagma) /har’-pag-mah/ – thing seized See G725
• λεία (leia) /lay-ah’/ – booty, prey See G3027

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun:

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

Examples:

• Nominative: σκῦλον (spoils)
• Genitive: σκύλου (of spoils)
• Dative: σκύλῳ (to/for spoils)
• Accusative: σκῦλον (spoils as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its military origins and metaphorical NT usage. Thayer’s notes its specific reference to stripped armor. LSJ provides extensive classical military examples. Vine’s highlights its significance in Jesus’s parable. Strong’s connects it to the concept of stripping enemies. Moulton and Milligan document its continued military usage in papyri. LEH traces its use in Septuagint battle narratives.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils [σκῦλον].” Luke 11:22

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σκῦλον powerfully illustrates Christ’s complete victory over Satan and evil powers. Used in Jesus’s parable of the strong man, it shows how He not only defeats the enemy but also reclaims what was stolen. This promotes the Gospel by demonstrating Christ’s supreme authority and His mission to rescue those held captive by evil.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient Greek warriors would often dedicate captured σκῦλον in temples.
2. The term specifically emphasized armor and weapons rather than general plunder.
3. Early Christian art sometimes depicted Christ holding σκῦλον to represent His victory over death.

Strong’s G4661: A neuter noun for spoils or plunder taken from defeated enemies, particularly stripped armor and weapons. Used metaphorically in Christ’s parable of the strong man to illustrate His victory over Satan and reclaiming of souls from evil’s dominion.

Part of speech: Noun (Neuter)

Tags: spoils, plunder, warfare, victory, strong-man-parable, spiritual-warfare, jesus-teaching, satan, triumph, redemption, military-metaphor, biblical-greek, new-testament, parables​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​