1004. borboros

Lexicon

borboros: Mire, Mud, Filth

Original Word: βόρβορος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: borboros
Pronunciation: BOR-bo-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (bor'-bor-os)
Definition: Mire, Mud, Filth
Meaning: mud, mire, filth.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

mire, mud

Of uncertain derivation; mud -- mire.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
mud, filth
NASB Translation
mire (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1004: βόρβορος

βόρβορος, βορβόρου, ὁ, dung, mire: 2 Peter 2:22. (the Sept.; Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Plato, and following; ἐν βορβόρῳ κυλίεσθαι, of the vicious, Epictetus diss. 4, 11, 29.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a primary word of uncertain affinity.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for βόρβορος, similar concepts of filth and impurity can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Some related Hebrew words include:

• טִיט (tiṭ) • Strong's Hebrew 2916: Refers to mud or mire, often used metaphorically for distress or moral impurity (e.g., Psalm 40:2).
• רֶפֶשׁ (rephesh) • Strong's Hebrew 7516: Meaning mire or mud, used in contexts of uncleanness or degradation (e.g., Isaiah 57:20).

These Hebrew terms, like βόρβορος, convey the idea of being mired in sin and the need for divine intervention to achieve purification and redemption.

Usage: The term βόρβορος is used in the New Testament to describe a state of moral or spiritual impurity, often symbolized by physical filth or mire.

Context: The Greek word βόρβορος appears in the New Testament to convey the concept of moral defilement and spiritual uncleanness. It is used metaphorically to describe the condition of those who have turned away from righteousness and have become entangled in sin. The imagery of mire or mud is employed to illustrate the depth of corruption and the difficulty of extricating oneself from such a state.

In 2 Peter 2:22, the apostle Peter uses βόρβορος to depict the spiritual degradation of those who, after knowing the way of righteousness, return to their former sinful ways. The verse states: "Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and, 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'" Here, βόρβορος is translated as "mud," emphasizing the filth and degradation associated with a return to sin.

The use of βόρβορος in the New Testament serves as a stark warning against apostasy and the dangers of falling back into a life of sin after having received the knowledge of the truth. It underscores the importance of perseverance in faith and the pursuit of holiness.

Forms and Transliterations

βόρβορος βορβορου βορβόρου βορβόρω borborou borbórou

Englishman's Concordance

2 Peter 2:22 N-GMS
GRK: εἰς κυλισμὸν βορβόρου
NAS: [returns] to wallowing in the mire.
KJV: to her wallowing in the mire.
INT: to [her] rolling place in [the] mire

Strong's Greek 1004
1 Occurrence

βορβόρου — 1 Occ.