μαστός

a breast, pap

Definition

The Greek word μαστός refers to the human breast, specifically the female breast or pap. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and figuratively. In Luke 11:27, a woman in the crowd blesses 'the womb that bore you, and the breasts (μαστοί) at which you nursed,' referring literally to the physical source of nourishment for the infant Jesus. In Luke 23:29, Jesus uses the term in a prophetic lament, saying 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts (μαστοί) that never nursed!'—here it carries a figurative sense of maternal care and nurture in a context of coming judgment. In Revelation 1:13, the glorified Christ is described with a golden sash around his 'chest' (μαστός), using the word in a more general, though still anatomical, sense for the upper torso.

Biblical Usage

Μαστός is used three times in the New Testament, exclusively in Luke and Revelation. In Luke's Gospel (Luke 11:27, 23:29), it appears in direct speech, highlighting themes of blessing, nurture, and prophetic woe related to motherhood and physical sustenance. In Revelation 1:13, it is used in a visionary description of the risen Christ's appearance, contributing to the symbolic imagery of his priestly and royal authority. The usage shifts from a literal focus on female biological function in Luke to a more symbolic, descriptive use for the male form in Revelation.

Etymology

Μαστός is a native Greek noun, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *mazdos-, meaning 'breast' or 'udder.' It is related to the Latin 'mamma' (breast) and the English 'mast-' (as in mastectomy). In ancient Greek, it specifically denoted the female breast, often with connotations of nourishment and fertility.

Semantic Range

This word enriches reading by highlighting the physical, embodied reality of Jesus's incarnation and human dependence. The blessings in Luke 11:27 acknowledge the physical motherhood of Mary, while the reversal in Luke 23:29 underscores the severity of eschatological judgment, where even the fundamental blessings of nurture become a source of future anguish. In Revelation 1:13, the description of Christ's μαστός, combined with the golden sash, may allude to his roles as both sacrificial high priest and conquering king, grounding his exalted authority in a human form.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the breast was a potent symbol of life, nurture, and sustenance, intimately connected to a woman's identity and role. A mother's breasts were not merely anatomical but represented her vital function in nourishing and ensuring the survival of her children. This cultural understanding makes the figurative use in Luke 23:29 particularly stark, as Jesus declares a time so terrible that the inability to fulfill this nurturing role will be considered a blessing.

στῆθος (stēthos, G4738) — A more general term for the chest or breast, used for both men and women, often the seat of emotion or thought (e.g., John 13:25, 21:20). κόλπος (kolpos, G2859) — Can mean 'bosom' or 'lap,' often implying a place of intimacy, comfort, or closeness (e.g., Luke 16:22, John 1:18).

Word Details

Scripture References