ὑγιής

sound, whole, wholesome

Definition

The adjective ὑγιής primarily means 'sound,' 'whole,' or 'healthy.' In its literal sense, it describes physical health, such as when Jesus heals a man's withered hand, making it 'restored whole' (ὑγιὴς) like the other (Matthew 12:13). It also applies to a person being 'made well' from sickness, as seen in the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage (Mark 5:34). Figuratively, the word carries a moral or spiritual sense of being 'sound' or 'wholesome,' particularly in teachings. For example, in John 5:6, Jesus asks the invalid if he wants to be 'made whole,' implying a comprehensive restoration.

Biblical Usage

ὑγιής is used 14 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels' healing narratives. It describes the result of Jesus's miraculous healings, emphasizing complete restoration to physical soundness (e.g., Luke 6:10, John 5:9). The usage is almost exclusively in direct speech or narrative descriptions of these healings, highlighting the tangible evidence of Jesus's power and compassion. The sole potential figurative use in the New Testament is in John 5:6, where 'made whole' may encompass more than physical health.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek ὑγιής itself, meaning 'sound' or 'healthy.' It is related to the verb ὑγιαίνω (G5198), meaning 'to be sound or healthy,' from which the English word 'hygiene' is derived. The root conveys an inherent state of wholeness and proper functioning, free from defect or disease.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it directly illustrates the power and purpose of Jesus's ministry. His miracles of healing, resulting in a person becoming ὑγιής, are signs of the inbreaking Kingdom of God, where brokenness is restored to wholeness. It points to Jesus as the source of true and comprehensive healing—physical, and by implication, spiritual. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by emphasizing that Christ's healings were not partial but complete restorations to soundness, prefiguring the ultimate restoration of all things.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, physical wholeness was highly valued and often linked to divine favor. Sickness or deformity could be stigmatized. Jesus's acts of making people ὑγιής not only addressed physical suffering but also restored individuals to full participation in religious and social life, as seen when the healed man could carry his mat on the Sabbath (John 5:9-10). The concept of 'wholeness' likely carried a more holistic connotation than the modern, often narrowly medical, idea of 'health.'

ἰάομαι (iaomai, G2390) — emphasizes the process of healing or curing. σῴζω (sōzō, G4982) — a broader term meaning 'to save' or 'deliver,' often used for spiritual salvation but also for physical healing and rescue. ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō, G5198) — the verb form, meaning 'to be healthy' or 'sound,' often used for sound teaching.

Word Details

Scripture References