ἰκμάς (ikmas)
ikmas
moisture
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ikmas refers simply to moisture or dampness. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 8:6, within the Parable of the Sower. There, it describes the condition of the soil where seeds fall among rocks; the earth is shallow and retains this moisture for a brief time before the sun scorches the sprouts.
Its usage here highlights a physical reality rather than a spiritual metaphor. The word emphasizes the temporary nature of the dampness that allows initial growth, contrasting with the deep roots needed to survive drought. This single occurrence illustrates how environmental conditions can support early development but fail to sustain it without depth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ikmas simply means moisture or dampness. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 8:6. Here, it describes the shallow soil among rocks where seeds sprout quickly but then wither because they lack deep roots to access lasting water.
This image reminds us that initial excitement is not enough for enduring faith. Many things begin with a burst of energy or emotion, much like those early sprouts. But without depth—without being rooted in something solid and permanent—that energy fades when challenges arise.
Consider how you nurture your spiritual life. Are you building shallow roots that depend on fleeting feelings, or are you digging deep into Scripture and community? True growth requires more than a moment of warmth; it needs the steady, hidden work of扎根 (rooting) in truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- moisture.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἰκμάδα.1×
Key Verses
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Luke 8:6
Some seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
This verse uses ikmas to explain why plants on rocky ground wither quickly: they lack the deep soil needed to retain moisture long-term.