τρυμαλιά (trumalia)
trumalia
hole
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun trumalia refers to a small hole or opening, specifically denoting the "eye" of a needle in the New Testament. Its meaning is grounded in the idea of something worn away, derived from a root related to erosion or boring through material. This etymology highlights the physical reality of the object: a narrow aperture created by wear rather than just a simple gap.
In Scripture, this word appears only once, recorded in Mark 10:25 where Jesus uses it to illustrate the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. By specifying the needle’s eye rather than using a general term for a hole, the text emphasizes extreme narrowness and precision. The image suggests that passing through such a tiny opening is physically impossible for a large object, underscoring the human impossibility of salvation by wealth or effort alone.
Translators consistently render this as "eye" to preserve the specific technical sense. While other Greek words exist for general holes, trumalia anchors the metaphor in a concrete, everyday item known to the original audience. This choice makes the subsequent statement about camel passage all the more striking, contrasting the minuscule size of the needle’s eye with the massive burden being described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trumalia points to something very small and specific: the eye of a needle. In Mark 10:25, Jesus uses this image to show how hard it is for someone who trusts in wealth to enter God’s kingdom. The point is not that money is evil, but that relying on it blocks our path to God. It highlights human impossibility.
When we feel stuck or unable to save ourselves, this verse reminds us that salvation comes from God alone. We cannot squeeze through the narrow gate by our own efforts or resources. Instead, we look to Jesus, who makes the impossible possible. This truth brings relief, not fear, because it shifts the burden from us to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eye1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τρυμαλιᾶς1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
This verse uses 'trumalia' to contrast the tiny needle's eye with a large camel, showing that salvation by human effort or wealth is impossible without God.