4081. pélos

Lexicon

pélos: Clay, Mud

Original Word: πηλός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: pélos
Pronunciation: pay-LOS
Phonetic Spelling: (pay-los')
Definition: Clay, Mud
Meaning: clay, mud.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

clay.

Perhaps a primary word; clay -- clay.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
clay
NASB Translation
clay (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4081: πηλός

πηλός, πηλοῦ, ὁ, from Aeschylus and Herodotus down;

a. clay, which the potter uses (Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 41:25; Nahum 3:14): Romans 9:21.

b. equivalent to mud (wet 'clay'): John 9:6, 11, 14f.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of πλάσσω (plássō), meaning "to form" or "to mold."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Hebrew equivalent for clay or mud is חֹמֶר (ḥomer), Strong's Hebrew 2563, which is used in the Old Testament to describe the material used by potters and in various metaphorical contexts, such as in Isaiah 64:8: "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand."

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term πηλός, its biblical significance, and its connection to the broader scriptural narrative of creation and transformation.

Usage: The term πηλός is used in the New Testament to describe the material used by Jesus in the miracle of healing the blind man, as well as in other contexts where clay or mud is referenced.

Context: • The Greek word πηλός appears in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' miraculous healing. In John 9:6, Jesus uses πηλός to heal a man born blind: "When He had said this, He spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and applied it to the man’s eyes." This act of using clay signifies the creative power of Jesus, reminiscent of God's creation of man from the dust of the earth in Genesis.
• The use of πηλός in this miracle highlights the theme of spiritual enlightenment and transformation. The physical act of applying clay to the eyes symbolizes the opening of spiritual eyes, allowing the blind man to see both physically and spiritually.
• In the cultural context of the time, clay was a common material used by potters and builders, symbolizing malleability and the potential for transformation. This further underscores the transformative power of Jesus' miracles.
• Theologically, the use of πηλός can be seen as a demonstration of Jesus' authority over creation, as He uses the elements of the earth to bring about healing and restoration.

Forms and Transliterations

πηλον πηλόν πηλὸν πηλός πηλου πηλού πηλοῦ πηλώ pelon pelòn pēlon pēlòn pelou peloû pēlou pēloû

Englishman's Concordance

John 9:6 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ ἐποίησεν πηλὸν ἐκ τοῦ
NAS: and made clay of the spittle,
KJV: and made clay of the spittle,
INT: and made clay of the

John 9:6 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ τὸν πηλὸν ἐπὶ τοὺς
NAS: and applied the clay to his eyes,
KJV: of the blind man with the clay,
INT: to him the clay to the

John 9:11 N-AMS
GRK: λεγόμενος Ἰησοῦς πηλὸν ἐποίησεν καὶ
NAS: Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes,
KJV: Jesus made clay, and anointed
INT: called Jesus clay made and

John 9:14 N-AMS
GRK: ἡμέρᾳ τὸν πηλὸν ἐποίησεν ὁ
NAS: made the clay and opened
KJV: Jesus made the clay, and opened
INT: day the clay made

John 9:15 N-AMS
GRK: εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Πηλὸν ἐπέθηκέν μου
NAS: to them, He applied clay to my eyes,
KJV: unto them, He put clay upon mine
INT: he said to them Clay he put of me

Romans 9:21 N-GMS
GRK: κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ ἐκ τοῦ
NAS: a right over the clay, to make
KJV: power over the clay, of
INT: potter over the clay out of the

Strong's Greek 4081
6 Occurrences

πηλὸν — 5 Occ.
πηλοῦ — 1 Occ.