ἕλκος

a festering sore

Definition

ἕλκος refers to a wound or sore, particularly one that is festering, ulcerated, or open. In its three New Testament occurrences, it consistently denotes a severe, painful physical affliction. In Luke 16:21, it describes the sores on Lazarus the beggar, emphasizing his pitiable and diseased state. In Revelation 16:2 and 16:11, it specifies the 'malignant sores' inflicted as a divine judgment upon those who worship the beast, portraying them as a direct and grievous physical punishment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in contexts of extreme physical suffering, either from disease or divine judgment. In the Gospel of Luke (16:21), it illustrates human misery and social neglect. In the Book of Revelation (16:2, 16:11), it is a key element of the bowl judgments, symbolizing God's wrath against profound evil. The usage pattern shows a progression from a natural affliction in the Gospels to a supernatural, eschatological plague in apocalyptic literature.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *welk- meaning 'to tear' or 'to pull'. It is a primary Greek noun for a wound, sore, or ulcer. Cognates and related words in Greek include ἑλκόω (helkoō, G1669) meaning 'to wound' or 'to ulcerate', emphasizing the action that causes the sore.

Semantic Range

ἕλκος carries significant theological weight, especially in Revelation. It transforms from a symbol of human suffering and compassion in Luke (highlighting the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife) to a symbol of God's active, tangible judgment against idolatry and rebellion. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by connecting the physical horror of the sores to the spiritual reality of divine justice, contrasting human mercy with God's ultimate wrath against evil.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, festering sores and ulcers were often seen as signs of divine disfavor, punishment, or impurity. They were debilitating, socially isolating conditions with limited medical treatment. The sores on Lazarus (Luke 16:21) would have marked him as ritually unclean and utterly destitute, amplifying the story's contrast with the rich man. The plague imagery in Revelation directly echoes the boils of the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 9:9-11), a cultural reference point for God judging oppressive empires.

πληγή (plēgē, G4127) — a broader term for a blow, wound, or stripe, often used for the plagues in Revelation. τραῦμα (trauma, G5134) — a wound from violence or injury, typically fresh. μάστιξ (mastix, G3148) — a scourge or whip, often metaphorical for affliction or disease.

Word Details

Scripture References