λάσκω

I burst asunder with a loud noise

Definition

The verb λάσκω (laskō) means 'to burst asunder' or 'to break open with a loud, explosive noise.' In its sole New Testament occurrence, it describes a violent, catastrophic bursting open, specifically of a human body. This sense emphasizes a sudden, dramatic, and fatal rupture. The word carries connotations of an internal pressure or force causing a violent outward explosion, resulting in complete destruction.

Biblical Usage

Λάσκω is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 1:18, to describe the fate of Judas Iscariot. The verse states that he fell headlong and 'burst open' (ἐλάκησεν), and all his intestines spilled out. This usage is in Peter's narrative about Judas's death, providing a graphic, physical description of his end. The context is historical recounting, not a common theological or parabolic usage.

Etymology

Λάσκω is a classical Greek verb meaning 'to crack,' 'to burst,' or 'to shatter.' It is an onomatopoeic word, imitating the sound of something breaking. It is related to words like λάσκη (laskē), meaning 'a crack' or 'fissure.' The core idea is a sudden, noisy breaking apart, which its biblical usage retains and intensifies.

Semantic Range

While λάσκω itself is a graphic physical description, its use in Acts 1:18 contributes to the theological theme of divine judgment and the consequences of betrayal. Judas's fate is presented as a stark and gruesome fulfillment of the curses associated with treachery (cf. Psalm 69:25, Acts 1:20). Understanding this vivid Greek term underscores the severity of his actions and the solemn reality of God's justice, even as it sets the stage for the selection of his replacement among the Twelve.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, a death involving the bowels spilling out was considered particularly shameful and horrific, often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or a curse. Luke's use of this specific, visceral term would have immediately conveyed to his original audience the profound disgrace and judgment associated with Judas's end, aligning with cultural understandings of a cursed death.

ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi, G4486) — a more general term for breaking or tearing, often used for garments or nets; σχίζω (schizō, G4977) — to split or divide, as the temple veil (Matthew 27:51).

Word Details

Scripture References