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ὕλη (hulē)

hulē

forest

G5208 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun hulē primarily denotes physical wood, such as a forest or timber used as fuel. In classical Greek and the Septuagint, it refers broadly to woodland or harvested wood. The New Testament preserves this concrete sense, appearing only once in James 3:5.

James uses the word metaphorically to describe the tongue as a small piece of wood that sets a great forest on fire. This vivid image relies on the literal properties of dry timber and sparks to illustrate how a tiny body part can cause widespread destruction. While later philosophical writers adopted hulē to mean abstract "matter," Scripture keeps the term grounded in tangible, combustible material.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word hulē points to dense woodland or timber, material that is solid, tangible, and capable of burning. In James 3:5, this concrete image becomes a warning about our speech. A single spark from a small piece of wood can ignite an entire forest if conditions are right. This vivid picture shows how something tiny can have massive consequences.

When we speak, our words carry weight and potential energy. Just as dry timber waits for fire, our tongues can set difficult situations ablaze with careless talk. Recognizing this power helps us handle our words with care. It invites us to be mindful of what we say, knowing that even small remarks can spread far beyond our intention.

Understanding hulē reminds us that our speech is not trivial. We are called to use our words to build up rather than burn down. This awareness fosters a spirit of gentleness and wisdom in our daily interactions with others.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • a forest1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ὕλην1×

Key Verses

  • James 3:5
    So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

    This verse uses hulē to describe the widespread destruction caused by the tongue, comparing it to a small fire igniting a large forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hulē mean in the Bible?

Hulē primarily means wood, timber, or a forest. In the New Testament, it appears only once in James 3:5, where it is used metaphorically to describe how the tongue can cause widespread damage like a fire spreading through a woodland.

Why does James use the image of a forest for the tongue?

James uses this image to highlight the disproportionate impact of speech. Just as a tiny spark can ignite a vast forest, a small part of the body like the tongue can cause significant harm through careless words.

Is hulē used elsewhere in the New Testament?

No, hulē appears only once in the New Testament. While later philosophical writers used it to mean abstract matter, Scripture keeps the term grounded in its literal sense of physical wood or forest.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

James 1 verse
James 3:5

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!