ἐξέραμα (exerama)
exerama
vomit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun exerama refers to vomit, or more precisely, what is cast out by vomiting. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:22. The word derives from a root meaning to evacuate or disgorge, emphasizing the physical act of expulsion.
Peter uses this stark image to describe those who have turned away from the truth they once knew. He compares them to dogs returning to their vomit and pigs washing themselves in the mud. The term highlights the repulsive nature of such a reversal, suggesting that returning to sin after knowing the way of righteousness is not just a mistake but a defilement.
Translators typically render exerama simply as "vomit," preserving the graphic quality of Peter’s warning. The single occurrence underscores the severity with which the author views apostasy, using visceral language to shock readers into recognizing the danger of abandoning their faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word exerama appears only once in the New Testament, carrying a heavy weight of warning. Peter uses this stark image to describe those who abandon the truth they once knew. He compares them to dogs returning to their own vomit and pigs washing themselves in mud. This graphic language is not meant to disgust us for its own sake but to highlight the serious danger of turning away from righteousness after knowing it.
For your faith, this serves as a sobering reminder of how precious the knowledge of Christ is. It invites you to hold fast to what you have learned and experienced in God’s grace. The path of faith requires us to turn our backs on old sins, not just physically but with our whole hearts. Let this truth encourage you to cherish your relationship with Jesus daily.
May you find strength in the hope that God offers through Christ. His mercy is sufficient for every step of your journey, guiding you away from what harms and toward what brings life. Trust in His steady love as you walk forward in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- vomit;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξέραμα·1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:22
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.”
This verse uses exerama to illustrate the repulsive nature of returning to sin after knowing the way of righteousness.