2595. karphos

Lexicon

karphos: Speck, splinter, mote

Original Word: κάρφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: karphos
Pronunciation: KAR-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (kar'-fos)
Definition: Speck, splinter, mote
Meaning: a dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

mote, speck

From karpho (to wither); a dry twig or straw -- mote.

HELPS Word-studies

2595 kárphos – properly, a small particle (a splinter of straw or wood); "a dry stalk; a chip of wood" (Souter); something dry and light; a "chip or splinter, of the same material with the beam" (WS, 35).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from karphó (to dry up, wither)
Definition
a small dry stalk
NASB Translation
speck (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2595: κάρφος

κάρφος, καρφεος (καρφους), τό (from κάρφω to contract, dry up, wither), a dry stalk or twig, a straw; chaff (A. V. mote): Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:41f, where it figuratively denotes a smaller fault. (Genesis 8:11; in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root κάρφω (karphō), meaning "to wither" or "to dry up."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κάρφος, the concept of focusing on minor faults while ignoring larger issues can be related to themes found in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as the emphasis on justice, mercy, and humility in passages like Micah 6:8. However, for a direct lexical correspondence, one might consider terms related to smallness or insignificance, though these would not be exact matches.

Usage: The term κάρφος is used in the New Testament to describe a small, insignificant object, often in contrast to something larger or more significant. It is used metaphorically to illustrate the concept of focusing on minor faults in others while ignoring larger faults in oneself.

Context: The Greek word κάρφος appears in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teachings on judgment and hypocrisy. Specifically, it is found in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus uses the imagery of a "speck" (κάρφος) in a brother's eye to teach about the importance of self-examination before criticizing others. In Matthew 7:3-5 (BSB), Jesus says:

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

This passage highlights the tendency of individuals to focus on the minor faults of others while neglecting their own more significant shortcomings. The use of κάρφος serves as a powerful metaphor for the need for humility and self-awareness in interpersonal relationships and spiritual life.

Forms and Transliterations

καρφος κάρφος κασία κασσιτέρινον κασσίτερον κασσίτερος κασσιτέρου κασσιτέρω karphos kárphos

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 7:3 N-ANS
GRK: βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν
NAS: do you look at the speck that is in your brother's
KJV: beholdest thou the mote that is in
INT: look you on the speck that [is] in

Matthew 7:4 N-ANS
GRK: ἐκβάλω τὸ κάρφος ἐκ τοῦ
NAS: me take the speck out of your eye,'
KJV: Let me pull out the mote out of thine
INT: [that] I might cast out the speck from the

Matthew 7:5 N-ANS
GRK: ἐκβαλεῖν τὸ κάρφος ἐκ τοῦ
NAS: to take the speck out of your brother's
KJV: to cast out the mote out of
INT: to cast out the speck out of the

Luke 6:41 N-ANS
GRK: βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν
NAS: do you look at the speck that is in your brother's
KJV: beholdest thou the mote that is in
INT: look you on the speck that [is] in

Luke 6:42 N-ANS
GRK: ἐκβάλω τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν
NAS: me take out the speck that is in your eye,'
KJV: pull out the mote that is in
INT: I might cast out the speck that [is] in

Luke 6:42 N-ANS
GRK: διαβλέψεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν
NAS: to take out the speck that is in your brother's
KJV: to pull out the mote that is in
INT: you will see clearly the speck that [is] in

Strong's Greek 2595
6 Occurrences

κάρφος — 6 Occ.