Strong's G4435: πυγμή (pygmḗ) Meaning

Quick Definition

πυγμή, ῆς, ἡ n.f. the fist

Strong's Definition

the clenched hand, i.e. (only in dative case as adverb) with the fist (hard scrubbing)

Derivation: from a primary (the fist as a weapon);

KJV Usage: oft

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

πυγμή (G4435)

noun, f. | -ῆς

8.35 · Body, Body Parts, and Body Products · Parts of the Body

fist the clenched hand In the NT πυγμή occurs only in this very problematic expression in MRK 7:3. Some manuscripts omit πυγμῇ, while others read πυκνά ‘often.’ A number of translators have attempted to solve the interpretative problem in MRK 7:3 by translating ‘unless they wash in the proper manner’ or ‘... thoroughly.’

MRK 7:3

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ, (πύξ, fr. TIYKQ, Lat. pungo, pupugi, [pugnus; O. H. G. ‘fist’, Eng. ‘fist’; cf. Curtius § 384]), fr. Hom. down, Sept. for 9in3% (Ex. xxi. 18; Is. lviii. 4), the fist: πυγμῇ νίπτεσθαι τὰς χεῖρας, to wash the hands with the fist, i. e. so that one hand is rubbed with the clenched fist of the other [R. V. mrg. (after Theoph., al.) up to the elbow; but ef. Edersheim, Jesus the Mes siah, ii. 11], Mk. vii. 3 (where Tdf. πυκνά, see πυκνός). (Cf. Jas. Morison, Com. ad loc.]

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

πυγμή pygmē 1x

together with the forearm, or, with care, carefully, Mk. 7:3*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ,

[in LXX: Ex 21:18, Is 58:4 (אֶגְרוֹף)*;]

the fist: πυγμῇ νίψασθαι τ. χεῖρας (T, πυκνά; Vg., Goth., Copt., crebro), to wash the hands with the fist (diligently, R, txt.; up to the elbow, R, mg.; the exact meaning is doubtful; v. Swete, in l.): Mk 7:3.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

πυγμή [page 559] literally fist (Suid : σύγκλεισις δακτύλων ) : cf. the cognate pugnus, pungo. pitgio (Boisacq, p. 827). We are unable to throw any light from our sources on the difficult πυγμῇ of Mar_7:3 B, for which ΰ substitutes πυκνά (Vg crebro ), but we may quote Palladius Hist . Lausiaca c. 55 νίψασθαι τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας πυγμῇ ὕδατι ψυχροτάτῳ , to which our attention has been drawn. According to Schulthess ( ZNTW xxi. (1922) p. 233) the expression is best explained as a lightening of the regular ritualistic washing, by a simple rubbing over with the hand, or a dry washing. For such a practice, under the name of ητσ , he refers to Krauss Archδol . I. 210, 269 N. 6. The Islamic custom of ablution with dust or sand when water cannot be procured is described in Hughes Dict, of Islam s.v . Ablution or Tayammum.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

πυγμή (pugmē) — fist. πυγμ-ή, ἡ, (πύξ) fist, [LXX+5th c.BC+]

2. boxing, as an athletic contest, πυγμῇ νικήσαντα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πυγμὴν or τὴν π. ἀσκεῖν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; frequently in Inscrr., e.g. πυγμὴν Ζωΐλος (i.e. ἐνίκησε) [Refs]

2. b generally, fight, π. μονομάχων καὶ θηρίων Edict.Caes. cited in [Refs 1st c.AD+]; εἰς π. καθίστασθαι, τρέπεσθαι, of partridges, [Refs]

3. in [NT] is interpretation diligently (variant{πυκνά}, often).

II. a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles,= [Refs 4th c.BC+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ [in LXX: Exo.21:18, Isa.58:4 (אֶגְרֹף) * ;] the fist: πυγμῇ νίψασθαι τ. χῖρας (Τ, πυκνά; Vg., Goth., Copt., crebro), to wash the hands with the fist (diligently, R, txt.; up to the elbow, R, mg.; the exact meaning is doubtful; see Swete, in l): Mrk.7:3.† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (1)

7:3

G4435 πυγμή (pygmḗ)