ἑλκόω

I afflict with sores

Definition

The verb ἑλκόω means to afflict with sores or ulcers, specifically referring to the formation of open, suppurating wounds on the body. In its only New Testament occurrence, it appears in the passive voice, describing someone who is 'afflicted with sores' or 'covered with ulcers' (Luke 16:20). This condition was often associated in the ancient world with severe, visible, and debilitating illness, likely perceived as a divine judgment or a mark of extreme misfortune. The word emphasizes not just sickness, but a physically repulsive and painful state that would lead to social ostracization.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:20, to describe the beggar Lazarus who was laid at the rich man's gate. The description 'full of sores' (ἑλκωμένος) is a key detail that highlights his utter destitution, physical suffering, and social marginalization, creating a stark contrast with the luxurious life of the unnamed rich man in Jesus's parable.

Etymology

Derived from the noun ἕλκος (helkos, G1668), which means 'a wound,' 'ulcer,' or 'sore.' The verb form ἑλκόω literally means 'to wound' or 'to ulcerate,' signifying the action of causing such sores. Its meaning is straightforward and concrete, directly related to physical pathology.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is medical, its single biblical use carries significant theological weight in illustrating God's concern for the poor and suffering. In Luke 16:20, Lazarus's sores are not just a medical detail but a symbol of his total vulnerability and rejection by society. His subsequent comfort in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:22-25) powerfully inverts earthly valuations, demonstrating God's justice and compassion for the afflicted. Understanding this Greek term enriches the parable by emphasizing the visceral reality of Lazarus's condition, making the divine reversal of fortunes more poignant.

In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, severe skin diseases and open sores were often seen as signs of ritual impurity or divine punishment (cf. Leviticus 13-14, Job 2:7). Such conditions typically resulted in social exclusion, as the afflicted were considered unclean and a public nuisance. Lazarus, being 'full of sores,' would have been viewed as utterly destitute and ritually unclean, making his position at the gate—reliant on scraps and likely avoided—a picture of absolute degradation.

μαλακία (malakia, G3119) — a broader term for 'weakness' or 'sickness,' not specifically sores. νόσος (nosos, G3554) — a general term for 'disease' or 'sickness.'

Word Details

Scripture References