2759. kentron
Strong's Lexicon
kentron: Sting, goad

Original Word: κέντρον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: kentron
Pronunciation: KEN-tron
Phonetic Spelling: (ken'-tron)
Definition: Sting, goad
Meaning: a sting, goad; met: of death.

Word Origin: From the base of κεντέω (kenteō), meaning "to prick" or "to goad."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "kentron," the concept of a goad or sting can be related to Hebrew words like דָּקַר (dāqar, Strong's H1856), meaning "to pierce" or "to stab."

Usage: In the New Testament, "kentron" is used metaphorically to describe a sharp point or sting, often in the context of something that causes pain or provokes action. It can refer to the sting of an insect or the pointed end of a goad used to drive animals. The term is used to convey the idea of something that incites or provokes, often with a negative connotation.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient agricultural societies, a goad was a pointed stick used to drive oxen or other animals during plowing. The sharp end would prod the animal to move forward. This imagery was familiar to the original audience of the New Testament, who would understand the metaphorical use of "kentron" as something that provokes or causes discomfort. Additionally, the sting of insects was a common experience, symbolizing sudden pain or irritation.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kenteó (to prick)
Definition
a sharp point
NASB Translation
goads (1), sting (2), stings (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2759: κέντρον

κέντρον, κέντρου, τό (κεντέω to prick);

1. a sting, as that of bees (4 Macc. 14:19), scorpions, locusts, Revelation 9:10. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55 (after Hosea 13:14, the Sept.) attributes to death, personified, a κέντρον, i. e. a deadly weapon, and that κέντρον is said to be ἁμαρτία (56), because sin is death's cause and punishment (?) (Romans 5:12).

2. as in the Greek writings an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden; hence, the proverb πρός κέντρα λακτίζειν, to kick against the goad, i. e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance: Acts 9:5 Rec.; ; cf. Pindar Pythagoras 2, 173; Aeschylus (Ag. 1624, cf.) Prom. 323; Euripides, Bacch. 795; Terent. Phorm. 1, 2, 28; Ammian. 18, 5.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
prick, sting.

From kenteo (to prick); a point ("centre"), i.e. A sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse) -- prick, sting.

Forms and Transliterations
κεντρα κέντρα κεντρον κέντρον kentra kéntra kentron kéntron
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 9:5 Noun-ANP
GRK: σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν
KJV: to kick against the pricks.
INT: for you against [the] goads to kick

Acts 26:14 N-ANP
GRK: σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν
NAS: for you to kick against the goads.'
KJV: to kick against the pricks.
INT: for you against goads to kick

1 Corinthians 15:55 N-NNS
GRK: θάνατε τὸ κέντρον
NAS: O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?
KJV: where [is] thy sting? O grave, where
INT: O death the sting

1 Corinthians 15:56 N-NNS
GRK: τὸ δὲ κέντρον τοῦ θανάτου
NAS: The sting of death is sin,
KJV: The sting of death [is] sin;
INT: and [the] sting of death [is]

Revelation 9:10 N-ANP
GRK: σκορπίοις καὶ κέντρα καὶ ἐν
NAS: scorpions, and stings; and in their tails
KJV: and there were stings in their
INT: scorpions and stings and in

Strong's Greek 2759
5 Occurrences


κέντρα — 3 Occ.
κέντρον — 2 Occ.















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