πτέρνα (pterna)
pterna
heel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pterna simply means the heel, the back part of the human foot. It appears only once in the New Testament, in John 13:18, where Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 to predict his betrayal. The phrase "lift up his heel against me" uses the word in a vivid metaphor for treachery.
Lexical sources note that this expression likely borrows from the image of a wrestler tripping an opponent or someone kicking another person. It describes a deliberate act of injury through deceit rather than open conflict. The Greek term corresponds to the Hebrew 'aqeb, which also means heel and serves as the etymological root for the name Jacob, who was born holding his brother's heel.
Translators render this phrase as "lift up his heel against me" or "raised his heel against me." The image conveys a sudden, hostile action from someone close. By using this specific body part, the text emphasizes the physical and relational intimacy of the betrayal, highlighting how the wound comes from within the inner circle.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pterna simply means heel, appearing only once in the New Testament at John 13:18. Jesus uses this specific body part to describe Judas’s betrayal. By quoting Psalm 41:9, He connects His suffering to ancient prophecy while highlighting the intimacy of the wound. The image suggests a sudden strike from someone who walked closely beside Him.
This detail reminds us that trust can be broken by those nearest to us. Yet Jesus’ knowledge of this event shows He remained in control even as He faced betrayal. It invites us to bring our own experiences of broken trust to Him, knowing He understands the pain of being hurt by a friend. His foreknowledge offers comfort rather than despair.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- heel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πτέρναν1×
Key Verses
-
John 13:18
I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’
Jesus uses this term to quote Psalm 41:9, identifying Judas as the one who shares bread with Him yet acts with hostile intimacy.