ὑδρωπικός (hudrōpikos)
hudrōpikos
with edema
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hudrōpikos describes a person suffering from dropsy, an ancient medical term for severe edema or fluid retention in the body. Derived from words meaning "water" and "looking," it literally paints a picture of someone who appears swollen with water. This physical condition was well-known in the first century, and the Gospel of Luke uses this specific term to identify one of the guests at a Pharisee’s house.
Its sole biblical appearance occurs in Luke 14:2, where Jesus encounters a man afflicted with dropsy on the Sabbath. The clinical precision of this word highlights the reality of the man’s suffering, setting the stage for a confrontation about healing laws. By naming his condition so clearly, the text emphasizes that this was not a minor ailment but a visible, debilitating illness that demanded attention.
Translators typically render hudrōpikos as "dropsy" or "suffering from dropsy," preserving the historical medical context rather than modernizing it to "edema." This choice keeps the reader connected to the ancient understanding of the body and the tangible nature of Jesus’ ministry, which addressed real physical pain with immediate authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hudrōpikos describes a person suffering from severe edema, a condition where fluid retention causes visible swelling and discomfort. In Luke 14:2, Jesus encounters a man with this affliction on the Sabbath. The text does not shy away from the reality of his pain; instead, it places him directly in front of Jesus, highlighting the tangible nature of Christ’s ministry.
This encounter reminds us that God cares about our physical suffering as much as our spiritual state. Jesus did not ignore the man’s visible condition or dismiss it as secondary to religious rules. By healing him, He showed that compassion takes precedence over rigid legalism. His touch brought relief to a body that was swollen and strained.
When you face illness or chronic pain, remember that Jesus sees you. He does not view your suffering as an inconvenience or a test of faith to be endured in silence. Instead, He invites you into His presence, where healing and peace are available. You do not have to carry your burdens alone; He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with dropsy1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑδρωπικὸς1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:2
Behold, a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him.
This verse identifies the specific man Jesus healed, showing that He addressed a visible, debilitating physical condition on the Sabbath.