ἱδρώς

sweat, perspiration

Definition

ἱδρώς (idrōs) refers to sweat or perspiration, the physical secretion from the body's sweat glands. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it describes the intense, visible sweat of Jesus in Luke 22:44, which fell 'like great drops of blood' during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. While the core meaning is simply sweat, in this biblical context it carries a profound metaphorical weight, signifying extreme physical and emotional anguish. The word does not appear elsewhere in the New Testament, so its usage is confined to this vivid, dramatic scene.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 22:44. It is employed in a narrative context to depict the severity of Jesus's distress before his arrest and crucifixion. The usage is highly descriptive and visual, emphasizing the intensity of his suffering. There are no other patterns of usage, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).

Etymology

The noun ἱδρώς (idrōs) is a native Greek word meaning 'sweat.' It is derived from the verb ἱδρόω (hidroō), 'to sweat.' The word is a straightforward biological term with no complex derivation from other roots, and its meaning has remained consistent from ancient Greek through Koine and into modern medical terminology (cf. 'hidrosis').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant because it graphically illustrates the full humanity and profound suffering of Jesus Christ. The description of his sweat in Luke 22:44 underscores the reality of his agony as he willingly submitted to the Father's will, bearing the weight of human sin. It enriches the reading of the Passion narrative by providing a tangible, physical detail that deepens our understanding of the cost of atonement and Jesus's identification with human weakness and distress.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, profuse sweating was commonly associated with extreme physical labor, intense fear, or severe illness. The description of sweat falling 'like drops of blood' in Luke 22:44 would have been understood by ancient readers as a sign of a life-and-death struggle or a state of mortal terror. This cultural understanding amplifies the gravity of the scene, portraying Jesus not as a detached divine figure, but as one experiencing the utmost human anguish.

κόπος (kopos, G2873) — labor, toil, often causing weariness and sweat; but focuses on the work/effort itself, not the physical secretion. μόχθος (mochthos, G3449) — hardship, painful labor; similar to κόπος, emphasizing the difficulty rather than the physical symptom.

Word Details

Scripture References