ἄλαλος
unable to speak
Definition
The adjective ἄλαλος (alalos) means 'unable to speak' or 'speechless.' It specifically describes a person who is mute, lacking the physical capacity for articulate speech. In its two New Testament occurrences, both in Mark 9, it is used to describe a boy possessed by a spirit that renders him mute (Mark 9:17, 25). The condition is presented as a direct result of demonic oppression, highlighting a severe physical and spiritual affliction.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Gospel of Mark, in the narrative of the healing of a demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:14-29). In both instances (Mark 9:17, 25), it is a key descriptor of the boy's condition. The usage pattern directly links the physical inability to speak with the presence of an unclean spirit, making the term integral to depicting the severity of the affliction from which Jesus delivers him.
Etymology
Derived from the alpha-privative ἀ- (a-), meaning 'not' or 'without,' combined with λαλέω (laleō, G2980), a verb meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk.' Thus, its literal meaning is 'not speaking' or 'speechless.' It is a straightforward compound adjective describing the absence of a specific faculty.
Semantic Range
The term is theologically significant as it appears in a key exorcism and healing narrative. The boy's muteness is not a natural infirmity but a symptom of demonic bondage (Mark 9:25). Jesus' authority to heal the ἄλαλος demonstrates His power over both physical brokenness and spiritual darkness, affirming His identity as the Messiah who brings liberation. Understanding this Greek term underscores the comprehensive nature of Christ's healing ministry.
In the ancient world, physical disabilities like muteness were often stigmatized and sometimes wrongly attributed to personal or familial sin (cf. John 9:2). Demon possession was a recognized category for explaining severe physical and mental ailments. The description 'ἄλαλος' would have immediately conveyed a state of profound helplessness and social marginalization, intensifying the dramatic impact of Jesus' healing.
κωφός (kōphos, G2974) — can mean mute or deaf; a broader term for sensory impairment. ἐνεός (eneos, G1769) — means 'speechless' or 'dumb,' often in the sense of being unable to speak due to astonishment or being at a loss for words.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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