Lexicon rhaphis: Needle Original Word: ῥαφίς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance needle. From a primary rhapto (to sew; perhaps rather akin to the base of rhapizo through the idea of puncturing); a needle -- needle. see GREEK rhapizo HELPS Word-studies 4476 rhaphís – a sewing or surgical needle referred to in Mt 19:24 and Mk 10:25. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rhaptó (to sew) Definition a needle NASB Translation needle (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4476: ῤαφίςῤαφίς, ῤαφίδος, ἡ (ῤάπτω to sew), a needle: Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25 Rec. ((cf. κάμηλος)). Class. Greek more common uses βελόνη (which see); see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 90; (Winer's Grammar, 25). Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ῥάπτω (rháptō), meaning "to sew" or "to stitch."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ῥαφίς in the Old Testament, as the concept of a needle is not explicitly mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, the idea of sewing or stitching can be related to Hebrew words such as תָּפַר (taphar, Strong's Hebrew 8609), which means "to sew" or "to stitch." Usage: The term ῥαφίς is used in the New Testament to describe a literal needle, often in metaphorical contexts to illustrate difficulty or impossibility. Context: The Greek word ῥαφίς appears in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teachings. It is most notably found in the synoptic Gospels, where Jesus uses the imagery of a needle to convey a powerful message about wealth and the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25, Jesus states, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (BSB). This metaphor highlights the spiritual challenge that wealth can pose, emphasizing the need for humility and reliance on God rather than material riches. The needle, as a common household item, serves as a vivid illustration of the narrowness and difficulty of the path to spiritual fulfillment when encumbered by earthly possessions. Forms and Transliterations ραφιδος ραφίδος ῥαφίδος raphidos rhaphidos rhaphídosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 19:24 N-GFSGRK: διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ NAS: the eye of a needle, than KJV: the eye of a needle, than INT: through [the] eye of a needle to pass than Mark 10:25 N-GFS |
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