ψώχω
I rub, rub to pieces
Definition
ψώχω means 'to rub' or 'to rub to pieces,' specifically referring to the action of rubbing something between one's hands or fingers to break it apart. In its only New Testament occurrence in Luke 6:1, it describes the disciples 'rubbing' heads of grain in their hands to separate the edible kernels from the husks as they walked through a field. This action was a common, practical method of harvesting small amounts of grain for immediate consumption. The word emphasizes a deliberate, physical manipulation to obtain food, not merely casual handling.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 6:1. It describes the specific action of the disciples on the Sabbath as they walked through grainfields. The usage is entirely practical and descriptive, detailing their method of procuring food. No other patterns or contextual variations exist, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
Derived from the Greek root related to rubbing or grinding by friction. It is a primary verb. Cognates or related words in Greek include ψήχω (psēchō), which also means to rub or crush lightly, indicating a family of words for fine, manual abrasion.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a mundane action verb, its use in Luke 6:1 is theologically significant as it sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath. The Pharisees' accusation about this 'rubbing' (which they equated with forbidden work like reaping and threshing) allows Jesus to declare, 'The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.' Understanding this specific, humble action highlights the legalistic misinterpretation of the Law that Jesus corrects, emphasizing mercy and human need over ritual technicality.
In the agricultural society of first-century Palestine, 'rubbing' heads of grain by hand was a recognized, permissible way for a traveler to eat from a neighbor's field (cf. Deuteronomy 23:25). It was distinct from the systematic harvesting (reaping) and processing (threshing) that constituted formal 'work' forbidden on the Sabbath. The Pharisees in the narrative, however, stretched the definition of 'work' to include this simple act of sustenance, showcasing a cultural and legal conflict over Sabbath observance.
τρίβω (tribō, G5147) — a more general term for rubbing, grinding, or wearing away; often used for grinding grain with a mill or friction.
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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