4657. skubalon
Lexicon
skubalon: Refuse, rubbish, dung, garbage

Original Word: σκύβαλον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: skubalon
Pronunciation: SKOO-bah-lon
Phonetic Spelling: (skoo'-bal-on)
Definition: Refuse, rubbish, dung, garbage
Meaning: refuse, dregs, dung.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
garbage, dung.

Neuter of a presumed derivative of eis and kuon and ballo; what is thrown to the dogs, i.e. Refuse (ordure) -- dung.

see GREEK eis

see GREEK kuon

see GREEK ballo

HELPS Word-studies

4657 skýbalon (from 2965 /kýōn, "dog" and 906 /bállō, "throw") – properly, waste thrown to dogs, like filthy scraps of garbage (table-scraps, dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively) refuse, what is good-for-nothing except to be discarded (used only in Phil 3:8).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
refuse
NASB Translation
rubbish (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4657: σκύβαλον

σκύβαλον, σκυβαλου, τό (κυσιβαλον τί ὄν, τό τοῖς κυσί βαλλόμενον, Suidas (p. 3347 c.; to the same effect Etym. Magn., p. 719, 53 cf. 125, 44; others connect it with σκῶρ (cf. scoria, Latinstercus), others with a root meaning 'to shiver', 'shred'; Fick, Part i., p. 244)), any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscouring, rubbish, dregs, etc.: (A. V. dung) i. e. worthless and detestable, Philippians 3:8. (Sir. 27:4; Philo; Josephus, b. j. 5, 13, 7; Plutarch; Strabo; often in the Anthol.) (See on the word, Lightfoot on Philippians, the passage cited; Gataker, Advers. Miscell. Posth., c. xliii, p. 868ff.)

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from a presumed derivative of the Greek words "skōr" (meaning "dung") and "bállō" (meaning "to throw").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for σκύβαλον, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words such as דֹּמֶן (domen, Strong's Hebrew 1828) meaning "dung" or "refuse," and גָּלָל (galal, Strong's Hebrew 1561) meaning "dung" or "excrement." These terms similarly convey the idea of something considered worthless or to be discarded.

Usage: The word σκύβαλον is used in the New Testament to express the concept of something being regarded as worthless or contemptible. It appears in contexts where the speaker is emphasizing the insignificance of worldly gains or achievements compared to spiritual truths.

Context: The Greek term σκύβαλον is notably used in Philippians 3:8, where the Apostle Paul writes, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (BSB). In this passage, Paul uses σκύβαλον to describe all his previous accomplishments and status, which he now regards as worthless in comparison to the value of knowing Christ. This term underscores the radical transformation in values that comes with a commitment to Christ, where earthly achievements and possessions are seen as insignificant. The use of σκύβαλον highlights the stark contrast between temporal and eternal values, encouraging believers to prioritize their spiritual relationship with Christ above all else.

Forms and Transliterations
σκυβαλα σκύβαλα skubala skybala skýbala
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Philippians 3:8 N-ANP
GRK: καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα ἵνα Χριστὸν
NAS: and count them but rubbish so
KJV: them [but] dung, that
INT: and esteem [them] rubbish that Christ

Strong's Greek 4657
1 Occurrence


σκύβαλα — 1 Occ.















4656
Top of Page
Top of Page