πέδη
a shackle
Definition
The Greek word πέδη (pedē) specifically refers to a shackle or fetter designed to bind the feet, used to restrain a person's movement. In the New Testament, it is used literally to describe the physical restraints placed on a violent, demon-possessed man (Mark 5:4, Luke 8:29). While its primary meaning is physical, the concept can be extended metaphorically to represent any form of binding restriction or captivity, though the biblical texts themselves use it only in the literal sense.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in the parallel accounts of the Gerasene demoniac. In Mark 5:4 and Luke 8:29, it describes the iron shackles and chains that had been used in a failed attempt to bind the man possessed by an unclean spirit. The usage highlights the extreme, supernatural strength of the demonic force, as the man was able to break the πέδαι (plural) apart.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek root πούς (pous, G4228), meaning 'foot.' Thus, πέδη is a foot-specific binding, directly related to its function. It is a cognate with other words for bonds or restraints in Greek, but its etymology firmly anchors its meaning to the feet.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a common noun for a shackle, its use in the Gospels is theologically significant. It vividly illustrates the power of demonic forces and the impotence of human physical restraints against spiritual bondage. The broken πέδαι serve as a powerful visual symbol of the man's captivity to a power that only Jesus can overcome, setting the stage for Christ's authoritative act of liberation. Understanding this concrete image enriches the reading of the miracle story.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, shackles and fetters (πέδαι) were common tools for restraining prisoners, slaves, or the violently insane. They were typically made of iron and could be attached to walls or posts. The failed attempt to bind the demoniac would have been understood by the original audience as a sign of terrifying, superhuman strength, making Jesus's subsequent calm command over the demons all the more astonishing.
δεσμός (desmos, G1199) — a more general term for any bond, chain, or imprisonment, not specific to the feet.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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