Bible Word Study
ὠτίον
ōtion · an ear
ὠτίον
an ear
Definition
ὠτίον is a diminutive noun meaning 'little ear' or 'earlobe,' specifically referring to the external part of the ear. In all five New Testament occurrences, it describes the physical ear that was cut off during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:51, John 18:10, 26). In Luke 22:51, Jesus performs the unique miracle of healing this severed ear, restoring it completely. The word emphasizes a specific, tangible part of the body involved in a violent act and a subsequent miraculous restoration.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the parallel Gospel accounts of the arrest of Jesus. All instances refer to the right ear of the high priest's servant, Malchus, which was cut off by Peter. The usage is strictly narrative and literal, describing a key physical detail in this dramatic scene. It appears in all four Gospels, highlighting the event's significance across the biblical witness.
Etymology
Derived from the standard Greek word for ear, οὖς (ous, G3775), the suffix -ιον (-ion) makes it a diminutive, meaning 'little ear.' This form can imply endearment or specify a smaller part, like the earlobe or outer ear. It directly relates to its root, emphasizing the specific physical organ.
Semantic Range
While a simple anatomical term, its use in the Gospels carries theological weight. The cutting of the ear represents the violence and chaos of Jesus's unjust arrest, contrasting with his kingdom of peace. Jesus's healing of the ear (Luke 22:51) is his final miracle before the crucifixion, demonstrating his compassion, power over injury, and commitment to non-violence even in his defense. It serves as a profound enacted parable of restoration and grace in the midst of betrayal. In the cultural context, striking or mutilating the ear of a servant was a severe insult and act of violence. For a high priest's servant, it was an attack on the priestly establishment. Furthermore, some ancient cultures associated the ear with obedience and servitude; damaging it could symbolize disabling a servant's function. Jesus's healing thus restores not only the body but the servant's dignity and capacity to serve. οὖς (ous, G3775) — The standard, non-diminutive word for 'ear,' used more broadly for the organ of hearing, including in metaphorical phrases like 'having ears to hear.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]