ὑδρωπικός

afflicted with dropsy

Definition

The adjective ὑδρωπικός (hydrōpikos) describes a person suffering from dropsy, a condition known today as edema. This medical term refers to an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues or cavities, often causing severe swelling. In the biblical context, it appears only in Luke 14:2, where a man with dropsy is present before Jesus. The condition was viewed as a serious and debilitating illness in the ancient world, symbolizing a state of physical distress and need for healing.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 14:2. It appears in a narrative context where Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee on the Sabbath, and a man afflicted with dropsy comes before Him. The usage is purely descriptive, identifying the man's specific medical condition, which sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent healing and teaching about Sabbath laws.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun ὕδρωψ (hydrōps), meaning 'dropsy' or 'edema.' The suffix -ικός (-ikos) forms an adjective, meaning 'pertaining to' or 'afflicted with.' Thus, ὑδρωπικός literally means 'pertaining to dropsy.' The root is related to ὕδωρ (hydōr, G5204), meaning 'water,' highlighting the condition's association with fluid retention.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a medical term, its theological significance emerges from its narrative setting in Luke 14:1-6. The healing of the man with dropsy on the Sabbath becomes a catalyst for Jesus' teaching on compassion and the true purpose of the Sabbath. It illustrates Jesus' authority over illness and His challenge to legalistic interpretations of the Law, emphasizing that doing good and saving life are always permissible. Understanding this specific condition enriches the reading by highlighting the man's visible, swollen suffering, which makes Jesus' compassionate act more poignant.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, dropsy (edema) was a recognized and feared condition, often associated with underlying diseases like heart or kidney failure. It was seen as a chronic and incurable ailment, causing significant disability and social stigma. The man's presence in a Pharisee's house may have been considered awkward or taboo due to his illness, adding tension to the scene. Modern readers might not grasp the severity and social implications of this condition without this cultural background.

ἀσθενής (asthenēs, G772) — a general term for weak or sick, without specifying a condition like dropsy. νοσέω (noseō, G3558) — to be sick or ill, a more general verb for being diseased.

Word Details

Scripture References