ἀλήθω (alēthō)
alēthō
to grind
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb alēthō means to grind, specifically referring to the action of crushing grain into flour. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times within parallel passages in Matthew 24:41 and Luke 17:35. Its usage is straightforward and concrete, describing a routine domestic task rather than a metaphorical or spiritual process.
This word serves as the Koine Greek equivalent of the Hebrew chālan, which appears frequently in the Old Testament for the same activity. By including this term, the Gospel writers ground their eschatological warnings in the familiar rhythms of daily life. The image of two women grinding together highlights how ordinary routines continue even as significant events unfold, emphasizing that the timing of judgment or salvation is unexpected and interrupts normal human activity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word alēthō refers to the simple, daily act of grinding grain into flour. In the ancient world, this was a common task for women, often done with hand mills at dawn or dusk. It represents the steady rhythm of ordinary life—feeding a family, maintaining the home, and continuing through the hours without fanfare.
When Jesus uses this image in Matthew 24:41 and Luke 17:35, He is not speaking about spiritual duties but about mundane routine. Two women working side by side, one taken and one left, shows that the coming of the Kingdom will interrupt life as usual. The unexpected nature of this event means we cannot predict it by watching our schedules or social circles.
This reminder invites us to live with a quiet readiness. We continue in our faithful duties—working, loving, serving—while keeping our hearts alert to God’s timing. It is not about frantic preparation but a steady trust that He sees us in the ordinary moments of our days.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- grinding2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλήθουσαι2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 24:41
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.
This verse places the grinding action within the context of the end times, showing how sudden judgment can separate people even when they are engaged in identical daily tasks.
-
Luke 17:35
There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”
Luke’s parallel account emphasizes the intimacy of the setting, where two women working together in close proximity experience different outcomes, highlighting the personal nature of divine sovereignty.