ἄγκιστρον

a fish-hook

Definition

ἄγκιστρον (agkistron) is a neuter noun that specifically means 'a fish-hook.' It refers to a curved, barbed implement used for catching fish. While the word itself does not appear in the New Testament, its concept is implied in passages about fishing, such as in Matthew 17:27 where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish that will have a coin in its mouth, an act that would involve using a hook. The term carries no extended metaphorical meaning in biblical literature; it retains its literal, practical sense.

Biblical Usage

This word is not used in the New Testament. Its only potential conceptual appearance is in the fishing imagery of Matthew 17:27, but the specific Greek term ἄγκιστρον is absent. No patterns of usage exist in biblical texts.

Etymology

Derived from the root ἀγκ- (ank-), meaning 'bent' or 'crooked,' which is also seen in words like ἀγκάλη (agkalē, 'arm' or 'bend'). The suffix -τρον typically indicates an instrument. Thus, ἄγκιστρον literally means 'a bending tool' or 'a crooked instrument,' perfectly describing the shape of a fish-hook.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, fishing with hooks was a common practice, both for sustenance and trade. Hooks were typically made of bronze or iron. Understanding this term highlights the everyday, tangible reality of the fishing industry, which forms the backdrop for the calling of several disciples (e.g., Matthew 4:18-22). The absence of the word in the NT suggests the biblical authors used more general fishing terminology.

δίκτυον (diktyon, G1350) — a fishing net, not a hook; σαγήνη (sagēnē, G4522) — a drag-net or seine net, a larger net type.

Word Details