3039. likmaó

Lexicon

likmaó: To winnow, to crush, to scatter

Original Word: λικμάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: likmaó
Pronunciation: lik-MAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (lik-mah'-o)
Definition: To winnow, to crush, to scatter
Meaning: I crush to powder, scatter like chaff.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grind to powder.

From likmos, the equivalent of liknon (a winnowing fan or basket); to winnow, i.e. (by analogy), to triturate -- grind to powder.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from likmos (a winnowing fan)
Definition
to winnow, to scatter
NASB Translation
like dust (2), scatter...like dust (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3039: λικμάω

λικμάω, λικμῷ: future λικμήσω; (λιμός a winnowing-van);

1. to winnow, cleanse away the chaff from grain by winnowing (Homer, Xenophon, Plutarch, others; the Sept.).

2. in a sense unknown to secular authors, to scatter (opposed to συνάγω, Jeremiah 31:10 (or Jeremiah 38); add, Isaiah 17:13; Amos 9:9).

3. to crush to pieces, grind to powder: τινα, Matthew 21:44 (R G L brackets WH brackets); Luke 20:18; cf. Daniel 2:44 (Theod.); Wis. 11:19 (18). (But in Daniel, the passage cited it represents the Aphel of סוּף,finem facere, and on Sap. l. c. see Grimm. Many decline to follow the rendering of the Vulg. (conterere, comminuere), but refer the examples under this head to the preceding.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root word λικμός (likmos), meaning "winnowing" or "sifting."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2219 זָרָה (zarah): To scatter, winnow, or disperse.
• H1758 דּוּשׁ (dush): To tread, thresh, or trample, often used in the context of processing grain.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the concept of separation and purification, aligning with the metaphorical use of λικμάω in the New Testament. The process of winnowing, both in Hebrew and Greek contexts, serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and the refining of character.

Usage: The verb λικμάω is used in the context of separating wheat from chaff, often symbolizing a process of purification or judgment. It appears in the New Testament to describe actions of sifting or scattering.

Context: The Greek verb λικμάω is primarily associated with agricultural practices in ancient times, specifically the process of winnowing. This process involved tossing harvested grain into the air so that the wind could blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier, valuable grain to fall back to the ground. In the New Testament, λικμάω is used metaphorically to describe spiritual or divine actions of separation and purification.

In the Berean Standard Bible, λικμάω is notably used in the context of divine judgment or testing. For example, in Luke 22:31, Jesus warns Peter, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat." Here, the sifting process symbolizes a trial or test of faith, where the true and steadfast are distinguished from the weak or unfaithful.

The imagery of winnowing is rich with theological implications, often representing God's discernment and the refining of His people. It underscores the idea that trials and challenges can serve to purify and strengthen believers, separating genuine faith from superficial adherence.

Forms and Transliterations

ελίκμησα ελιμαγχόνησέ λελικμημένη λελικμωμένον λικμά λικμάται λικμήσας λικμησει λικμήσει λικμήσεις λικμήσω λικμήτωρ λικμώ λιμά likmesei likmēsei likmḗsei

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 21:44 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἂν πέσῃ λικμήσει αὐτόν
NAS: it falls, it will scatter him like dust.
KJV: it will grind him to powder.
INT: anyhow it shall fall it will grind to powder him

Luke 20:18 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἂν πέσῃ λικμήσει αὐτόν
NAS: it falls, it will scatter him like dust.
KJV: it will grind him to powder.
INT: anyhow it might fall it will grind to powder him

Strong's Greek 3039
2 Occurrences

λικμήσει — 2 Occ.