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κηρίον (kērion)

kērion

honeycomb

G2781 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun kērion refers specifically to a honeycomb, or more precisely, a piece of it. It is a diminutive form derived from the word for wax (kēros), indicating a small structure made of that substance. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Luke 24:42.

In that passage, the resurrected Jesus eats a piece of broiled fish alongside honeycomb to demonstrate the physical reality of His body. The word highlights the tangible nature of the meal, grounding the miraculous event in everyday rural imagery. This usage connects the divine encounter with the simple, natural world familiar to first-century listeners.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word kērion refers to a honeycomb, specifically a small piece of wax structure filled with sweet honey. In Luke’s Gospel, this simple detail appears when the resurrected Jesus shares a meal with His disciples. He asks for food, and they give Him broiled fish along with some honeycomb.

This moment offers deep comfort. It shows that resurrection life is not a ghostly or distant experience but involves real physical presence and shared joy. The sweetness of the honeycomb reminds us that God’s grace can bring delight even after suffering. We are invited to see our daily meals and simple pleasures as ways to encounter the living Christ.

How it's translated

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

  • tablet.1×

Forms in the text

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

  • κηρίου.1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 24:42
    They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

    This verse uniquely pairs honeycomb with broiled fish to prove Jesus’ physical resurrection through a shared meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does kērion mean in the Bible?

Kērion is a Greek noun that translates to honeycomb. It appears only once in the New Testament, describing a piece of wax structure given to Jesus after His resurrection.

Why is honeycomb mentioned in Luke 24:42?

The mention of honeycomb serves as tangible proof of Jesus’ physical body. By eating common food like fish and honeycomb, He showed His disciples that He was truly alive and not a spirit.

How is kērion different from other words for honey?

While meli refers to the sweet liquid itself, kērion specifically denotes the wax structure holding it. This distinction highlights the natural, unprocessed state of the food Jesus consumed.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)