Sacred Liberty: τίλλω (Strong’s G5089: tillo) Reveals Messiah’s Law Interpretation

Strong’s G5089: A verb meaning “to pluck” or “to pull,” specifically used in Gospel accounts of disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. Highlights Jesus’ teaching about the true interpretation of Sabbath law and human need versus ritual observance.

U- Unveiling the Word

τίλλω appears in the Gospels at a crucial moment of conflict between Jesus and religious authorities over Sabbath observance. This simple agricultural term for plucking or pulling becomes the focal point for Jesus’ teaching about the spirit versus the letter of the law. Used specifically in the context of disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, it represents the tension between human need and ritual requirements. The early church saw in this word a key example of how Jesus reinterpreted Torah observance through the lens of mercy and human need. Today, it continues to challenge believers to understand divine law through the perspective of compassion and purpose rather than mere regulation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τίλλω, tillo, /TIL-lo/
• Detailed pronunciation: TEEL-loh (emphasis on TEEL)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Primary verb possibly related to root meaning “to pull”
• No prefixes or suffixes
• Similar to Sanskrit “til” meaning to be torn

D – Defining Meanings

• To pluck
• To pull
• To pick (grain)
• To strip off

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but a primary verb

Translation Options:

• “Pluck” – Traditional translation emphasizing deliberate action
• “Pick” – Modern equivalent for agricultural context
• “Pull off” – More literal physical action description

E – Exploring Similar Words

• δρέπω (drepo) /DREP-oh/ – to cut off, reap. See G1382
• συλλέγω (sullego) /sool-LEG-oh/ – to gather, collect. See G4816
• θερίζω (therizo) /theh-RID-zo/ – to harvest, reap. See G2325

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Verb:

• Tense: Present/Imperfect
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative/Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Continuous

Key forms:

• Present: τίλλω (I pluck)
• Imperfect: ἔτιλλον (I was plucking)
• Present Participle: τίλλων (plucking)
• Infinitive: τίλλειν (to pluck)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τίλλω’s specific agricultural context and its role in Sabbath controversy narratives. Thayer’s notes its precise meaning of pulling or plucking with fingers. LSJ documents its use in agricultural and botanical contexts. Vine’s highlights its significance in Jesus’ teaching about Sabbath observance. Strong’s connects it to basic concepts of pulling or drawing. Moulton and Milligan show its use in agricultural documents. The synthesis reveals a term chosen for its precise description of the disciples’ actions, while carrying significant theological implications for understanding divine law.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to [pluck] [τίλλω] the ears of corn, and to eat.” Matthew 12:1

Additional References:
Mark 2:23
Luke 6:1

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τίλλω appears in a pivotal moment demonstrating King Jesus’s authority to interpret divine law. Through this simple action of plucking grain, Jesus teaches that human need takes precedence over ritual observance, revealing God’s heart of compassion. This word proclaims the good news that the Messiah came not to abolish the law but to fulfill its true purpose, showing that love and mercy fulfill the law’s intent.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient agricultural manuals.
2. Early rabbinical debates often centered on this specific action on Sabbath.
3. It appears in all three synoptic Gospels in the same controversy narrative.

Strong’s G5089: A verb meaning “to pluck” or “pull,” specifically used in Gospel accounts of disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. Highlights Jesus’ teaching about the true interpretation of Sabbath law and human need versus ritual observance.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: agriculture, Sabbath, law, mercy, plucking, grain, controversy, Jesus’ teaching, human need, ritual, Torah, interpretation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​