μύλος (mulos)
mulos
millstone
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun mulos refers to a millstone or the mill itself. In first-century Palestine, these were essential tools for daily life, typically consisting of two heavy stones: a stationary lower stone and an upper one that was turned by hand or by an animal. The word captures both the object and the labor-intensive process of grinding grain into flour.
Scripture uses this concrete image to convey severe consequences. In Matthew 18:6 and Mark 9:42, Jesus warns against causing "little ones" to stumble, stating it would be better to have a donkey-driven millstone (mylos onikos) hung around one’s neck than to lead a believer into sin. This vivid metaphor highlights the gravity of spiritual harm. Similarly, Revelation 18:22 describes the fall of Babylon, declaring that no millstone sound will be heard there again, signaling total desolation and the end of ordinary life.
The term appears only four times in the New Testament, always in contexts involving judgment or serious moral warning. Its presence underscores the tangible reality of divine justice, using a common household item to illustrate profound spiritual truths.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mulos refers to the heavy stone used for grinding grain, a daily necessity in the ancient world. Jesus uses this familiar image to show how seriously He views the protection of vulnerable believers. In Matthew 18:6 and Mark 9:42, He warns that causing a 'little one' to stumble is a grave offense, far worse than being drowned with a millstone around one’s neck. This vivid picture reminds us that our words and actions carry weight, especially toward those who are young in faith or easily led astray.
Revelation 18:22 uses the silence of the mill to signal total desolation, showing how ordinary life ends under judgment. Yet this warning is not meant to frighten us into isolation but to encourage careful stewardship of our relationships. We are called to build others up, not tear them down. By guarding our hearts against causing harm, we reflect God’s care for the weak and honor the community of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a millstone2×
- of a millstone1×
- mill;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μύλος2×
- μύλῳ·1×
- μύλου1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 18:6
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea.
Jesus uses the millstone to illustrate the severe spiritual consequence of leading a believer into sin.
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Mark 9:42
“Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.
This parallel warning emphasizes that harming 'little ones' is worse than a tragic drowning with a heavy stone.
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Revelation of John 18:22
The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. No craftsman of whatever craft will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you.
The silence of the mill marks the complete end of normal life and industry in Babylon's judgment.