ῥήγνυμι

I break, break forth

Definition

ῥήγνυμι primarily means 'to break' or 'to burst,' describing a forceful, often violent, rupture. In a literal sense, it refers to breaking physical objects, such as wineskins that cannot contain new wine (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37). Figuratively, it describes a sudden, powerful outburst, as when an unclean spirit 'throws' a person into convulsions (Mark 9:18, Luke 9:42) or when one 'breaks forth' into a shout of joy, as cited from Isaiah in Galatians 4:27. The sense of 'rending asunder' is seen in the proverbial warning against giving what is holy to dogs, lest they 'trample' and 'tear' you (Matthew 7:6).

Biblical Usage

This verb is used seven times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels and once in Paul's letters. Its usage is evenly split between literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it describes the bursting of old wineskins (Matt 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37). Figuratively, it depicts violent physical seizures caused by demons (Mark 9:18, Luke 9:42), the violent trampling of pigs or dogs (Matt 7:6), and a metaphorical outburst of joyful shouting from the barren woman in a quotation from Isaiah 54:1 (Gal 4:27).

Etymology

Derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to break' or 'to crack,' ῥήγνυμι is a primary verb in Greek. It is related to other Greek words involving breaking or bursting, such as ῥῆξις (rhēxis, a breaking) and the adjective ῥαγδαῖος (rhagdaios, violent). Its fundamental sense of a sudden, forceful break remained consistent.

Semantic Range

This word highlights themes of incompatibility and newness in God's kingdom. The bursting wineskins illustrate the inability of old religious structures (the Law) to contain the new life of the Spirit brought by Christ (Mark 2:22). The demonic 'breaking' in Mark 9:18 underscores the destructive power of evil from which Jesus delivers. In Galatians 4:27, the 'breaking forth' into song symbolizes the miraculous, joyful fruitfulness God brings from barrenness, representing the spiritual children of promise.

The literal use involving wineskins was immediately understandable in an agrarian society. New wine ferments, producing gases that would cause stiff, old wineskins to rupture, while new, supple skins could expand. This was a common illustration of mismatched capacities. The action of dogs or swine 'rending' in Matthew 7:6 reflects their perceived unclean and violent nature in Jewish culture.

συντρίβω (syntribō, G4937) — to crush or shatter completely, often with a sense of destruction. κλάω (klaō, G2806) — to break, used specifically for breaking bread. λύω (lyō, G3089) — to loose, untie, or dissolve, less violent than a rupture.

Word Details

Scripture References