τραῦμα

a wound

Definition

τραῦμα (trauma) refers to a physical wound or injury inflicted by violence or accident. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it specifically denotes the wounds suffered by the man attacked by robbers in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:34). The word carries the sense of a serious, bleeding injury requiring immediate care and bandaging. While used only once in the biblical text, its meaning is straightforward and consistent with general Greek usage for a wound from a blow or cut.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:34. It describes the specific physical condition—the wounds—of the man left half-dead by robbers on the road to Jericho. The context is the narrative of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan's compassionate action is to go to the wounded man, pour oil and wine on his τραῦματα (wounds), and bandage them. Its usage is purely descriptive of a severe physical injury within a story illustrating mercy and neighborly love.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb τιτρώσκω (titrōskō), meaning 'to wound' or 'to pierce.' It is related to the concept of inflicting injury through a violent action. The English word 'trauma' is a direct transliteration, though the modern psychological sense is a later development from the core physical meaning.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a simple noun for a wound, its single biblical appearance is theologically significant. In Luke 10:34, the τραῦμα is the object of the Samaritan's compassionate, healing action, which Jesus uses to define 'neighbor.' Thus, understanding this concrete, physical wound enriches the parable's message: true, godly love addresses the tangible, often grievous hurts of others. It connects to themes of mercy, practical compassion, and Christ's call to actively heal a broken world.

In the 1st-century context, such wounds from violence on lonely roads were a common danger. Medical care was rudimentary; pouring oil (as a soothing agent) and wine (likely for its antiseptic properties) was a standard first-aid practice. The seriousness of the man's wounds ('half-dead') highlights the risk of infection and death, making the Samaritan's intervention a lifesaving act of significant personal cost and risk, which would have been striking to Jesus's audience.

πληγή (plēgē, G4127) — a blow, stripe, or wound; often used metaphorically for a plague or calamity. μώλωψ (mōlōps, G3468) — a bruise, welt, or mark from a blow.

Word Details

Scripture References