Bible Word Study
ξηρός
xēros · dry, withered, dry land
ξηρός
dry, withered, dry land
Definition
The adjective ξηρός (xēros) primarily means 'dry' or 'withered.' It describes physical dryness, such as a withered hand (Matthew 12:10, Luke 6:6, 8) or dry land (Hebrews 11:29). It can also refer to something that is parched or arid, as in the 'dry tree' metaphor of Luke 23:31. In John 5:3, it describes the sick as 'withered' or paralyzed, extending the sense to physical infirmity and lack of vitality.
Biblical Usage
Used 7 times in the New Testament, ξηρός appears in narratives involving healing miracles (Matthew 12:10, Luke 6:6-8) and metaphorical sayings (Luke 23:31). It describes a specific physical ailment (a withered hand) in the Synoptic Gospels and general infirmity in John 5:3. Its use in Hebrews 11:29 refers to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on 'dry land,' echoing Old Testament language of divine deliverance.
Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek root ξηρός, meaning 'dry.' It is a basic adjective with cognates in other Indo-European languages related to dryness or drought. Its meaning remained consistent in Koine Greek, covering both literal dryness (land) and metaphorical withering (limbs, plants).
Semantic Range
The word is significant in healing narratives, where Jesus restores what is 'withered' to life and function, symbolizing His power to reverse the effects of sin and brokenness. In Luke 23:31, the 'dry tree' proverb hints at impending judgment. The 'dry land' in Hebrews 11:29 underscores God's miraculous deliverance, connecting the Exodus to the theme of faith. Understanding this Greek term highlights the contrast between spiritual barrenness and the life-giving power of Christ. In a 1st-century agrarian society, dryness was directly associated with barrenness, death, and lack of blessing. A 'withered' hand was not only a physical disability but could carry social and religious stigma, potentially viewed as a sign of divine disfavor. The metaphor of a 'dry tree' (Luke 23:31) would be readily understood as something lifeless and fruitless. ἔρημος (erēmos, G2048) — emphasizes desolate, uninhabited wilderness, not just dryness. αὐχμηρός (auchmēros, G850) — means 'droughty' or 'gloomy,' with a stronger sense of parched bleakness (used only in 2 Peter 1:19).
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]