τράγος (tragos)
tragos
he-goat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tragos refers simply to a male goat. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, all within the book of Hebrews. The author uses this specific term to describe the animals involved in the Old Testament purification rituals that prefigure Christ’s work.
Its most significant usage occurs in Hebrews 10:4, where the text states that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. This verse highlights a theological contrast: while these animals were essential for ceremonial cleansing under the Law, they lacked the power to cleanse the human conscience. The word underscores the insufficiency of repeated sacrifices compared to the single offering of Jesus.
The term also appears in Hebrews 9:12-13 and 19, describing how Moses sprinkled blood and water to consecrate the covenant. By using tragos, the writer connects directly to the Levitical system where a he-goat served as a sin offering. This lexical choice reminds readers that the old rituals were shadows pointing toward a greater reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tragos refers to a male goat, an animal central to the Old Testament sacrificial system. In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses this specific term to describe the animals offered for ceremonial cleansing. These rituals were essential under the Law, yet they pointed toward a greater reality that they could not fully achieve.
Hebrews 10:4 reminds us that the blood of bulls and goats simply cannot take away sins. This verse highlights a profound theological contrast: while these sacrifices provided external purity, they lacked the power to cleanse the human conscience. The repeated nature of these offerings underscored their insufficiency compared to the single, perfect offering of Jesus.
By connecting directly to the Levitical system, the writer shows that these old rituals were shadows pointing toward Christ. This understanding invites us to rest in the completeness of His work, knowing that our forgiveness rests not on repeated animal sacrifices, but on the eternal redemption secured by His own blood.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of goats4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τράγων4×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 10:4
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
This verse explicitly states the theological limitation of the tragos, showing that animal blood cannot remove sin.
-
Hebrews 9:12
nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
Here the word contrasts the temporary goat sacrifices with Christ's own blood, which obtained eternal redemption.
-
Hebrews 9:13
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh,
The author uses this term to illustrate how external rituals could sanctify the flesh but not the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tragos mean in the Bible?
Why does Hebrews mention goats and bulls together?
Where else does this word appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Hebrews 4 verses
nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place,…
Hebrews 9:13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the…
Hebrews 9:19For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the…
Hebrews 10:4For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.