νομικός (nomikos)
nomikos
lawyer
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective nomikos identifies someone who is learned in the law. In the New Testament, it functions as a substantive noun to describe a lawyer or an expert in Mosaic legislation. This term appears nine times, primarily in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, as well as in Titus 3:9.
Its meaning centers on technical proficiency rather than general piety. These individuals were interpreters and teachers of the Torah, recognized for their scholarly knowledge of legal statutes. The sources note that it is synonymous with grammateus (scribe), highlighting a role focused on scriptural expertise and instruction within Jewish society.
The word derives from nomos, meaning law, with the suffix -ikos indicating possession or relation. This etymology underscores that a nomikos is defined by their engagement with legal texts. Translators typically render it as "lawyer" to convey this specific professional identity in a modern context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nomikos refers to a lawyer or legal expert in first-century Jewish society. These were not merely court advocates but scholars deeply trained in the Mosaic Law. Their role involved interpreting statutes and teaching others how to live according to divine commandments. This expertise gave them significant influence over community life and religious practice.
Understanding this background helps us see why Jesus often engaged with these men. In Luke 10:25, a lawyer stands up to test Jesus about eternal life. The interaction shows that knowledge of the law alone does not guarantee wisdom or right relationship with God. True understanding requires more than technical proficiency; it demands humility and love.
For believers today, this reminds us that studying Scripture is valuable but must lead to transformation. We are called to apply biblical truth with compassion rather than using it as a tool for control. Let your study of the Word draw you closer to Christ, who fulfills the law perfectly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lawyers4×
- a lawyer2×
- lawyers,1×
- lawyer1×
- about [the] Law1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- νομικῶν1×
- νομικός1×
- νομικὸς1×
- νομικὸν1×
- νομικὰς1×
- νομικοῖς,1×
- νομικοῖς1×
- νομικοὺς1×
- νομικοὶ1×
Key Verses
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Luke 10:25
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
This verse shows a lawyer testing Jesus on eternal life, highlighting how legal expertise can become a barrier to genuine faith when pride replaces humility.
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Luke 11:46
He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens.
Here Jesus condemns lawyers for imposing heavy burdens without offering help, exposing the danger of using religious knowledge to oppress rather than serve others.
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Luke 11:52
Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”
Jesus accuses lawyers of taking away the key of knowledge by hindering entry into understanding, showing how intellectual pride can block spiritual insight.