Lexical Summary xulinos: Wooden Original Word: ξύλινος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of wood. From xulon; wooden -- of wood. see GREEK xulon NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom xulon Definition wooden NASB Translation wood (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3585: ξύλινοςξύλινος, ξυλίνη, ξύλινον (ξύλον), from Pindar and Herodotus down, wooden, made of wood: σκεύη, 2 Timothy 2:20; neuter plural εἴδωλα, Revelation 9:20 (Θεοί, Baruch 6:30 (Epistle Jeremiah 29)). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope Strong’s Greek 3585, ξύλινος, designates something “made of wood.” In Scripture it is never neutral; its two occurrences set wood in deliberate contrast to more enduring or precious materials. The term therefore becomes a literary device that exposes human frailty, misplaced worship, and the call to honorable usefulness. Background in Scripture From the earliest chapters of Genesis—where gopher-wood frames the ark—to the craftsmen of the tabernacle and temple, wood provides functional service yet always yields primacy to gold and silver when holiness or permanence is emphasized. That pattern shapes the New Testament usage of ξύλινος, where “wooden” stands for what is common, transient, and vulnerable to decay or fire. Occurrences in the New Testament “Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for honorable use, but others for common use.” “The rest of mankind … did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk.” Symbolic Contrasts: Perishability vs. Permanence • Precious metals (gold, silver) symbolize purity, tested faith, and the glory of God (1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 21:18). Implications for Christian Living and Ministry 1. Personal Sanctification Historical and Cultural Context • In the Greco-Roman household, everyday items—bowls, spoons, even parts of furniture—were commonly wooden, easily replaced, and cheap. Elite homes displayed metalware for esteemed guests. Paul’s analogy would resonate immediately with Timothy’s Ephesian audience. Worship and Idolatry The LXX repeatedly labels idols “wooden” (for example, Habakkuk 2:18-19), laying a theological foundation later echoed by John. Scripture thus builds a cumulative case: the living God speaks and acts; wooden gods are mute and inert. The believer is called to renounce every wooden substitute for the living Christ. Promise and Warning • Promise: God refashions the ordinary into vessels of honor when surrendered to Him. No past commonness precludes future usefulness. See Also xulon (Strong’s 3586) – “wood, tree, cross” Timothy’s charge to maintain purity – 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11 Idolatry and repentance – Acts 17:29-30; 1 John 5:21 Forms and Transliterations ξυλινα ξύλινα ξύλινά ξυλίνην ξύλινοι ξύλινον ξυλίνου ξυλίνους ξυλίνω ξυλοκόποι ξυλοκόπος ξυλοκόπου ξυλοκόπους xulina xylina xýlinaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Timothy 2:20 Adj-NNPGRK: ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα NAS: but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, KJV: but also of wood and of earth; INT: but also wooden and earthen Revelation 9:20 Adj-ANP |
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