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ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs)

hēmithanēs

half-dead

G2253 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The rare adjective hēmithanēs describes a state of being "half-dead," combining the prefix for "half" with the root for "dying." It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:30, within the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The word paints a vivid picture of a traveler who has been stripped and beaten, lying on the road in a critical condition that is not yet fatal but is clearly life-threatening.

This specific term captures a precise moment of vulnerability. It is not merely injured; it is on the brink of death. By choosing this uncommon word, the text emphasizes the severity of the man's plight and the urgency of the Samaritan’s intervention. The detail highlights that true compassion responds to desperate need, even when no one else is willing to look.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek word hēmithanēs describes a state of being "half-dead." It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:30. This rare adjective paints a vivid picture of a traveler who has been stripped and beaten, lying on the road in a critical condition that is not yet fatal but is clearly life-threatening. The word captures a precise moment of vulnerability, emphasizing that the man was on the brink of death.

By choosing this uncommon term, the text highlights the severity of the man's plight and the urgency of the Samaritan’s intervention. True compassion responds to desperate need, even when no one else is willing to look. This story invites us to see the world through eyes of mercy, recognizing that every person we meet may be carrying a burden too heavy for them to bear alone.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • half dead1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἡμιθανῆ1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 10:30
    Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

    The word hēmithanēs appears here to describe the victim's critical state, emphasizing that he was not merely injured but on the brink of death.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Greek word hēmithanēs mean?

Hēmithanēs is a rare Greek adjective meaning "half-dead." It combines the prefix for "half" with the root for "dying," describing someone who is critically injured but not yet dead.

Where does hēmithanēs appear in the Bible?

It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:30. This verse is part of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where it describes the condition of the man attacked by robbers.

Why is this word significant in the Good Samaritan story?

The use of hēmithanēs emphasizes the extreme urgency and severity of the man's situation. It shows that he was not just hurt, but on the verge of death, highlighting the depth of the Samaritan's compassion and the necessity of immediate help.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Luke 1 verse
Luke 10:30

Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped…