σεληνιάζομαι (selēniazomai)
selēniazomai
be epileptic
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb selēniazomai describes a condition historically understood as being "moon-struck," which in the New Testament context refers to epilepsy. The term derives from selēnē, meaning moon, reflecting the ancient belief that seizures were influenced by lunar cycles. It appears only twice in the Gospels, specifically in Matthew 4:24 and 17:15, where it characterizes the severe distress of those seeking Jesus’ help.
In Matthew 17:15, the father describes his son as "lunatic" and suffering greatly, highlighting the physical torment associated with this diagnosis. The word underscores the desperation of the crowd who brought such cases to Jesus, illustrating the widespread nature of His healing ministry. Translators typically render it as "epileptic" or "lunatic," capturing both the medical reality and the cultural understanding of the time.
This rare term provides insight into how first-century observers interpreted neurological disorders through the lens of astronomy. By using this specific vocabulary, the Gospel writers connect Jesus’ power over disease with the prevailing beliefs about health and nature, showing His authority extends beyond physical healing to encompass the fears and misconceptions of the era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word selēniazomai appears in the Gospels to describe those suffering from what we now call epilepsy. In the first century, people often linked these seizures to the moon, using a term that literally means 'moon-struck.' When Matthew records Jesus healing epileptics, he shows us a Savior who does not shy away from the most visible and distressing forms of human suffering.
For believers today, this word reminds us that Jesus’ compassion extends to every kind of pain. He did not dismiss those with chronic illnesses as beyond help or divine judgment. Instead, He met their desperation with power and mercy. This offers comfort to anyone facing long-term health challenges, knowing that Christ sees the struggle and cares deeply about the person behind the symptoms.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- those being epileptic1×
- he is epileptic1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σεληνιάζεται1×
- σεληνιαζομένους1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:24
The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
This verse lists epileptics among those brought to Jesus, showing that His healing ministry included people with severe neurological conditions alongside other illnesses.
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Matthew 17:15
“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
Here the father specifically identifies his son as epileptic to explain the severity of the fits, highlighting the family’s desperation and Jesus’ authority over such torment.