μογιλάλος (mogilalos)
mogilalos
hardly talking
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare adjective mogilalos describes someone who speaks with physical difficulty, often translated as "stammering" or having a speech impediment. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Mark 7:32, where people bring a man to Jesus who could not speak clearly.
Its etymology combines words suggesting heaviness or thickness with voice, pointing to a literal obstruction in speech rather than a lack of knowledge. This specific term highlights the physical nature of the man’s condition, distinguishing it from general silence or muteness.
By using this precise word, the Gospel writer emphasizes that Jesus’ healing power addressed tangible human suffering. The encounter shows Christ engaging directly with someone whose social isolation likely stemmed from their inability to communicate normally in ancient society.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mogilalos describes a physical difficulty in speaking, often translated as stammering or having a speech impediment. In Mark 7:32, it is used to describe a man who was deaf and had trouble talking clearly. This rare term highlights the tangible nature of his suffering, showing that Jesus cared about specific, visible human struggles.
Jesus did not ignore this man because his condition was difficult or embarrassing. Instead, He took him aside, touched his ears and tongue, and restored his ability to communicate. This act shows that God values every person, regardless of how they speak or are perceived by society.
Your faith does not require perfect speech or flawless expression. Jesus met this man where he was, offering healing and dignity. In your own life, you can find comfort knowing that Christ sees your struggles and desires to bring wholeness to every part of you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who spoke with difficulty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μογιλάλον1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 7:32
They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.
This verse uses the rare adjective mogilalos to specify that the man's condition was a physical speech impediment, distinguishing it from general muteness and highlighting Jesus' direct engagement with tangible suffering.