κώνωψ (kōnōps)
kōnōps
gnat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kōnōps refers specifically to a gnat or mosquito, an insect known for its irritating presence and small size. In ancient usage, it served as a common proverbial symbol for something minute or insignificant. The word appears only once in the New Testament, marking it as a rare but vivid lexical item.
Its sole biblical occurrence is in Matthew 23:24, where Jesus uses the image to critique religious leaders who are meticulous about minor ritual details while neglecting weightier matters of justice and mercy. By comparing their focus to straining out a tiny gnat from a drink, the text highlights the absurdity of prioritizing trivial purity laws over genuine ethical conduct.
Etymologically, the term likely relates to the buzzing or humming sound these insects make, though its exact roots remain uncertain. Translators consistently render it as "gnat" to preserve the contrast between the creature's smallness and the seriousness of the accusation. This single usage underscores a recurring biblical theme: God values inner integrity over external precision in insignificant details.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kōnōps refers to a tiny insect, specifically a gnat or mosquito, known for its irritating buzz and minute size. In ancient culture, it served as a common symbol for something small or insignificant. Its sole appearance in the New Testament is found in Matthew 23:24, where Jesus uses this vivid image to critique religious leaders of His day.
Jesus describes these leaders as those who strain out a gnat from their drink but swallow a camel whole. This striking contrast highlights a serious spiritual imbalance: they focused intensely on minor ritual details while ignoring weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The image reminds us that God values inner integrity and love over external precision in trivial matters.
For your faith life, this word invites self-reflection rather than condemnation. It asks whether we are spending our energy on small rules while missing the bigger picture of compassion and righteousness. May you find freedom in focusing on what truly matters to God, trusting that He sees the heart behind every action.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gnat,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κώνωπα,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:24
You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
This verse uses kōnōps to illustrate the absurdity of prioritizing minor ritual purity over major ethical duties like justice and mercy.