Spiritual Warning: ὗς (Strong’s G5300: hus) Reveals Sin’s Enslaving Nature

Strong’s G5300: The common word for sow or female pig, hus appears in Peter’s warning about false converts returning to sin. Used metaphorically in Jewish and early Christian literature, it symbolizes unclean behavior and the inability to appreciate spiritual truth.

U- Unveiling the Word

The noun ὗς (hus) carries deep symbolic significance in biblical and Jewish tradition. While literally referring to a sow or female pig, its metaphorical usage far outweighs its literal meaning in religious contexts. In its sole New Testament appearance, Peter employs it in a proverbial warning about those who return to sinful behavior after experiencing cleansing. This usage draws on Jewish cultural understanding of pigs as unclean animals and their natural tendency to return to filth even after being cleaned. Early church fathers frequently used this image to warn against spiritual regression and the danger of false conversion. Today, it continues to serve as a powerful metaphor for the enslaving nature of sin and the necessity of true transformation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὗς, hus, HOOS
• Detailed Pronunciation: HOOS (as in “whose”)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine)

Etymology:
A primitive root word with cognates in many Indo-European languages:

• Sanskrit: sū-kara
• Latin: sus
• English: sow

D – Defining Meanings

• Sow (female pig)
• Swine, pig (generally)
• Metaphorically: one who returns to unclean behavior

For compound words:
Not a compound word; this is a primitive root.

Translation Options:

• “sow” – Most precise, specifically female pig
• “pig” – More general but commonly understood
• “swine” – More formal, carries negative connotations

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χοῖρος (choiros, KHOI-ros) – pig, usually young
  See G5519
• δέλφαξ (delphax, DEL-fax) – young pig
  See G1169
• σῦς (sus, SOOS) – alternative form of ὗς
  See G4449

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun:

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

Example forms:

• ὗς (nominative singular) – a sow
• ὑός (genitive singular) – of a sow
• ὑΐ (dative singular) – to/for a sow
• ὗν (accusative singular) – a sow (direct object)

Related words:

• Adjective: ὑικός (huikos) – swinish
• Compound: ὑοβοσκός (huoboskos) – swineherd

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical research reveals ὗς’s rich symbolic significance. BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical usage in Jewish and Christian contexts for spiritual uncleanness. Thayer’s notes its proverbial usage in warning against apostasy. LSJ documents its widespread use in classical Greek literature both literally and metaphorically. Vine’s connects it to warnings about false profession of faith. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri showing its common usage in agricultural contexts. Strong’s notes its primitive nature and widespread cognates, while LEH highlights its frequent appearance in the Septuagint regarding dietary laws and metaphorical uncleanness. This evidence shows a term deeply embedded in religious and cultural symbolism.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
2 Peter 2:22 “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow [ὗς] that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ὗς powerfully illustrates the necessity of genuine spiritual transformation. Used in Peter’s warning about false converts, it reminds us that external cleansing without internal change leads to spiritual regression. This word proclaims the good news of King Jesus by highlighting the difference between mere religious washing and true regeneration. It calls believers to examine their hearts and ensure their faith produces lasting transformation rather than temporary reform.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word shares roots with similar terms for pig in many ancient Indo-European languages.
2. It was commonly used in Greek proverbs about unchangeable nature.
3. Early Christian baptismal teachings often referenced this verse to warn against insincere conversion.

Strong’s G5300: The common word for sow or female pig, hus appears in Peter’s warning about false converts returning to sin. Used metaphorically in Jewish and early Christian literature, it symbolizes unclean behavior and the inability to appreciate spiritual truth.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: uncleanness, apostasy, false-conversion, spiritual-regression, transformation, genuine-faith, metaphor, warning, peter’s-epistles, spiritual-cleansing, true-conversion, proverbial-wisdom​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​