Lexical Summary prosrégnumi: To burst upon, to dash against Original Word: προσρήγνυμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beat vehemently againstFrom pros and rhegnumi; to tear towards, i.e. Burst upon (as a tempest or flood) -- beat vehemently against (upon). see GREEK pros see GREEK rhegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and rhégnumi Definition to break against NASB Translation burst against (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4366: προσρηγγνυμιπροσρηγγνυμι, and in later writings (Winer's Grammar, 22) προσρήσσω; 1 aorist προσέρρηξα R G L, προσερηξα T Tr WH (see Rho); to break against, break by dashing against: παιδία ἀπολεῖς προσρηγνυς πέτραις, Josephus, Antiquities 9, 4, 6; λέοντα προσρηξας τῇ γῆ, 6, 9, 3; intransitive, (cf. Winers Grammar, § 38, 1; (Buttmann, § 130, 4)): ὁ ποταμός τῇ οἰκία, Luke 6:48 (49; Matthew 7:27 L marginal reading): in the passive, τῇ ἄκρα ἡ τά κύματα προσρήσσεται, Antoninus 4, 49. Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Visual Nuance προσέρηξεν (Strong’s 4366) vividly pictures a sudden, violent collision. The compound idea of “toward” plus “to shatter” portrays a force that hurls itself against an object until either the object yields or the force is spent. Luke chooses this verb to animate the flash-flood (“torrent,” ποταμός) slamming into a house. The image is kinetic, loud, relentless—conveying a trial fierce enough to expose every hidden weakness in the structure it meets. Occurrences in Luke 6:48–49 1. Luke 6:48: “When the flood came, the torrent burst against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” In a single sentence each, Luke contrasts indestructibility with catastrophic ruin. The identical verb underlines that both lives experience the same external pressure; only the foundation differs. Theological Emphasis—Testing Reveals Foundations The striking stream represents every form of crisis: persecution, temptation, false doctrine, death, and, ultimately, final judgment. Scripture consistently teaches that trials do not create spiritual character; they uncover it (Proverbs 24:10; 1 Peter 1:6–7). By using προσέρηξεν, Luke accentuates that the assault is inevitable and decisive. Christological Focus—The Rock While Luke names the foundation simply “the rock,” the broader canonical witness defines that rock as Christ Himself and His authoritative teaching (1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:6–8). Union with Christ through obedient faith is therefore the immovable footing that no torrent can overturn (John 15:10; James 1:22–25). Covenantal Echoes—Isaiah’s Cornerstone Isaiah 28:16 foretells a “tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation,” spoken in contrast to the “overflowing flood” of judgment (Isaiah 28:17). Luke’s wording picks up this prophetic pair—secure foundation versus sweeping flood—showing Jesus as the fulfillment who now summons hearers to covenant loyalty. Historical and Cultural Setting First-century Palestinian builders understood the menace of winter wadis. A dry riverbed could become a roaring wall of water within minutes after an upstream storm. Prudent builders dug through alluvium to bedrock; the shortcut builder scraped only the surface. Jesus’ audience knew that diligence, not location, distinguished a safe dwelling from a deathtrap. Discipleship and Ministry Implications • Catechesis: Instruction must penetrate beneath superficial assent to habits of practiced obedience (Matthew 28:20; Colossians 2:6–7). Eschatological Overtones The final, irrevocable “collapse” anticipates the Day when works are tested “by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The wise builder’s house that remains foreshadows the unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:26–28), whereas the foolish builder’s ruin typifies eternal loss. Comparative Gospel Insight Matthew 7:25–27 narrates the same parable but uses προσπίπτω (“fall against”) rather than προσρήσσω. Luke’s stronger verb intensifies the ferocity of the impact, underscoring his Gospel’s recurrent theme that genuine discipleship withstands severe opposition (Luke 8:13–15; Acts 14:22). Related Biblical Motifs • Noah’s flood: judgment waters spared only those inside God’s appointed refuge (Genesis 7; 1 Peter 3:20–21). Homiletical Trajectory 1. Exposition: Detail the imagery and Luke’s lexical choice. Summary Strong’s 4366 supplies the decisive verb that brings Jesus’ parable to life. It reminds every generation that torrents will strike, but those who not only hear but act on the words of the Lord possess a security nothing in time or eternity can breach. Forms and Transliterations προσερηξεν προσέρηξεν προσέρρηξεν προσσιελίση πρόσταγμα προστάγμασι προστάγμασί προστάγμασιν προστάγματα προστάγματά προστάγματι προστάγματος προσταγμάτων προστάδα proserexen proserēxen prosérexen prosérēxenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 6:48 V-AIA-3SGRK: δὲ γενομένης προσέρηξεν ὁ ποταμὸς NAS: the torrent burst against that house KJV: the stream beat vehemently upon that INT: moreover having come burst upon the stream Luke 6:49 V-AIA-3S |
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