προσψαύω (prospsauō)
prospsauō
to touch
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prospsauō carries a very specific sense of physical contact, meaning to touch lightly or gently. It appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke 11:46 where Jesus describes the burden placed on people by religious leaders who "touch" them with their teachings.
Its formation combines a prefix indicating direction or proximity with the root word for touching. This distinction matters because it separates this action from a firm grasp or a casual brush; it implies a delicate, perhaps even burdensome, contact. In this single instance, the image suggests how heavy and intrusive that religious pressure felt to those under its weight.
Because the word is so rare, translators often have to choose between "touch" and more interpretive phrases like "burden." The lexical data points to the physical act itself, leaving the spiritual implication of that touch to the context of the surrounding passage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word προσψαύω describes a light, gentle touch. In Luke 11:46, Jesus uses this image to show how religious leaders burdened people. They did not just teach; they laid heavy demands on others while refusing to help carry the load themselves.
This rare verb reminds us that guidance should feel supportive, not crushing. When we lead or advise others, our words should lift them up. We must avoid adding weight to those already struggling under their own loads.
May your interactions with others bring relief rather than pressure. Let your presence be a gentle touch that helps carry the load, reflecting the compassion of Christ who invites us to rest in His grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do touch1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσψαύετε1×
Key Verses
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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.
This verse highlights the contrast between the heavy burdens imposed by leaders and their refusal to offer even minimal assistance, illustrating the word's sense of intrusive contact.