μυλικός (mulikos)
mulikos
millstone
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective mulikos describes something that belongs to or is made for a mill. In the New Testament, it appears only once, modifying the word for stone in Luke 17:2. The phrase refers to a large millstone, specifically the heavy lower stone used in ancient grain processing.
This particular stone was massive and required significant effort to turn, often by donkey power or human labor. Jesus uses this image to illustrate the severity of causing others to stumble. Attaching such a weight around someone’s neck symbolizes a fate far worse than drowning, emphasizing the gravity of leading a believer into sin.
The term derives from mylē, meaning mill, and clearly points to the industrial equipment of the first century rather than small hand mills. By choosing this specific descriptor, the text highlights the immense burden involved, serving as a stark warning about spiritual responsibility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mulikos describes the heavy lower stone used in ancient grain mills. In Luke 17:2, Jesus uses this image to show how serious it is to lead someone into sin. He says it would be better to have such a large stone tied around your neck and thrown into the sea than to cause a believer to stumble.
This picture reminds us that our actions affect others deeply. We are called to protect those who are new in their faith or vulnerable in their walk with God. It is not just about avoiding big sins, but also about being careful with how we treat people around us.
May you find strength in knowing that God cares about these relationships. He invites you to walk gently with others, offering grace and patience instead of causing harm. This word calls us to be mindful of our influence and to cherish the trust placed in us by those we encounter daily.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of a mill1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μυλικὸς1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Jesus uses mulikos to describe a massive millstone, emphasizing that causing a believer to stumble is worse than drowning under such a heavy burden.