τρῆμα (trēma)
trēma
hole
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun trēma simply means a hole or perforation in an object. It is a concrete term describing a physical gap, such as one made by a needle or tool. The word appears only once in the New Testament, making it a rare entry in biblical vocabulary.
In Luke 18:25, Jesus uses this specific word when illustrating the difficulty of wealth entering the kingdom of God. He says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom. Here, trēma refers to the small opening in the sewing needle, emphasizing the extreme narrowness of the passage.
Lexical sources note that this term is synonymous with other Greek words for holes or apertures, such as trymalía. Its singular usage highlights how Jesus often drew from everyday items familiar to his audience to explain spiritual truths. The image relies on the literal physical constraint of a tiny hole to convey an impossible human task.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word τρῆμα (trēma) simply means a hole or opening. It is a concrete term that describes a physical gap, such as one made by a needle. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 18:25. Jesus uses this specific image to illustrate how difficult it is for someone who trusts in wealth to enter the kingdom of God.
When Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, He is using a familiar everyday object to make a spiritual point. The small opening represents an extreme narrowness that humans cannot force their way through on their own. This reminder helps us see that our security does not come from what we possess, but from God’s grace.
It is good to remember that no amount of earthly success can replace the need for divine help. When we feel overwhelmed by our struggles or our possessions, this verse invites us to look beyond ourselves. We are called to trust in a power greater than our own strength, finding rest in the hope that God provides.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an eye1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τρήματος1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 18:25
For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
This verse uses τρῆμα to describe the literal eye of a sewing needle, emphasizing the physical impossibility of a large animal passing through such a small opening to illustrate spiritual dependence.