δέσμη (desmē)
desmē
bundle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun desmē refers simply to a bundle or sheaf, derived from the verb for binding. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in the parable of the wheat and tares where Jesus instructs his listeners to gather the weeds into bundles (Matthew 13:30). This specific usage highlights a physical collection of stalks tied together, likely for burning.
The word carries no abstract spiritual weight beyond its concrete imagery. It describes a gathered mass, distinct from individual plants. Translators consistently render it as "bundles" to preserve the visual of collected debris ready for disposal, maintaining the stark contrast between the stored wheat and the discarded sheaves.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word desmē appears only once in the New Testament, tucked inside Jesus’ parable of the wheat and tares. It simply means a bundle or sheaf, describing weeds tied together for burning. This concrete image helps us see how God handles disorder: He does not destroy immediately but allows growth until the proper time.
In Matthew 13:30, Jesus tells reapers to bind the weeds into bundles first. This detail shows that judgment is orderly and purposeful. The bundle represents collected impurity, set apart from the valuable wheat. For us, it reminds that God sees clearly what we might miss in our daily struggles.
When life feels messy or confusing, this word offers quiet comfort. God gathers what needs correction without haste. He preserves what is good while dealing with what harms. We can trust His timing and His care for both the field and the farmer.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bundles1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δέσμας1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
This verse uses desmē to describe weeds bound together, showing that judgment involves gathering impurity into distinct bundles before burning, contrasting with wheat stored in the barn.