Lexical Summary dus-: Difficult, hard, bad, ill Original Word: δυσ- Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hard, grievous. A primary inseparable particle of uncertain derivation; used only in composition as a prefix; hard, i.e. With difficulty -- + hard, + grievous, etc. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prefix of uncertain derivation Definition like un- or mis- (as in unrest, misjudge), nullifies good sense or increases bad sense of a word. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1418: δυς(δυς(, an inseparable prefix conveying the idea of difficulty, opposition, injuriousness or the like, and corresponding to our mis-, un- (Curtius, § 278); opposed to εὖ. Topical Lexicon Linguistic OverviewThe Greek prefix δυσ- (Strong’s 1418) is a bound morpheme that intensifies a word’s negative or adverse sense: “hard,” “ill,” “bad,” “difficult.” It never appears alone in the New Testament, yet its compounds frame memorable moments of spiritual, physical, and intellectual challenge. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint the prefix often translates Hebrew ideas of stubbornness, calamity, or misfortune, preparing the canonical rhythm in which human hardness is met and overcome by divine grace (for example, the stiff-necked generation in Exodus 32 and the promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26). New Testament Illustrations • Mark 10:23–24—δυσκόλως: “Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’”. Riches create a “hard” barrier only God can remove (Mark 10:27). • Luke 18:24—δυσκόλως reiterates the warning to wealth-trusting hearts. • Acts 28:8—δυσεντερία: Publius’ father “was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery”. Paul’s healing ministry displays Christ’s victory over bodily affliction. • Hebrews 5:11—δυσερμήνευτος: “It is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing”, linking doctrinal depth with spiritual receptivity. • 2 Peter 3:16—δυσνόητος: “Some parts of his letters are hard to understand”. The difficulty lies not in God’s truth but in unstable readers who twist it. Theological Themes 1. Human Inability vs. Divine Sufficiency Whatever is “hard” for humanity—wealth’s grip, physical disease, or intellectual opacity—falls within God’s sovereign reach (Mark 10:27). 2. Call to Humble Teachability Hard-to-grasp doctrine (Hebrews 5:11; 2 Peter 3:16) summons believers to earnest study and dependence on the Spirit (John 16:13). 3. Compassion Toward Suffering Acts 28:8 models pastoral care that addresses both body and soul, validating gospel proclamation through tangible mercy. Historical and Patristic Insight Chrysostom noted that Christ’s “hard” saying to the rich aims not at despair but at repentance. Origen saw “hard to understand” passages as divinely designed to foster diligent inquiry and deeper communion with God. Ministry Application • Preaching—use δυσ- texts to expose sin’s depth and exalt grace’s power. Summary Though invisible as a standalone word, δυσ- weaves a consistent witness: fallen realities truly are “hard,” yet none outstrip the gracious reach of the Lord. Recognizing the prefix alerts readers and ministers alike to scenes where human difficulty magnifies divine sufficiency, inviting faith, humility, and compassionate action. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance δυνάστας — 1 Occ.δυνάστης — 2 Occ. δυνατεῖ — 3 Occ. δυνατά — 6 Occ. δυνατοὶ — 4 Occ. δυνατὸν — 9 Occ. δυνατός — 13 Occ. Δύνοντος — 1 Occ. ἔδυ — 1 Occ. δύο — 128 Occ. δυσὶν — 6 Occ. δυσβάστακτα — 2 Occ. δυσεντερίῳ — 1 Occ. δυσερμήνευτος — 1 Occ. δύσκολόν — 1 Occ. δυσκόλως — 3 Occ. δύσεως — 1 Occ. δυσμῶν — 5 Occ. δυσνόητά — 1 Occ. δυσφημίας — 1 Occ. |
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