Strong's Lexicon spiloó: To stain, to defile, to pollute Original Word: σπιλόω Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word σπῖλος (spilos), meaning "spot" or "stain." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "spiloó," the concept of defilement is present in Hebrew through words like טָמֵא (tamei, Strong's H2930), meaning "to be unclean," and חָנֵף (chaneph, Strong's H2610), meaning "to be polluted" or "to be profane." Usage: The verb "spiloó" is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of staining or defiling something, often in a moral or spiritual sense. It implies the act of corrupting or tainting what is pure or clean. In a biblical context, it is often used metaphorically to describe the contamination of one's character or reputation through sinful actions or associations. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, purity and cleanliness were significant cultural values, often associated with religious practices and social status. The concept of being "stained" or "defiled" carried strong negative connotations, suggesting a departure from societal and religious norms. In Jewish culture, ceremonial cleanliness was crucial, and being defiled could mean exclusion from religious activities. The New Testament writers used this term to emphasize the importance of moral and spiritual purity in the life of a believer. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4695 spilóō – to stain; (figuratively) to defile, spiritually stain. See 4696 (spilos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom spilos Definition to stain, defile NASB Translation defiles (1), polluted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4695: σπιλόωσπιλόω, σπίλω; perfect passive participle ἐσπιλωμενος; (σπίλος); to defile, spot: τί, James 3:6; Jude 1:23. (Dionysius Halicarnassus, Lucian, Heliodorus; the Sept..) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defile, spot. From spilos; to stain or soil (literally or figuratively) -- defile, spot. see GREEK spilos Forms and Transliterations εσπιλωμενον ἐσπιλωμένον σπίλοι σπίλον σπιλουσα σπιλοῦσα espilomenon espiloménon espilōmenon espilōménon spilousa spiloûsaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance James 3:6 V-PPA-NFSGRK: ἡμῶν ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ NAS: our members as that which defiles the entire KJV: members, that it defileth the whole INT: of us the defiler [of] all the Jude 1:23 V-RPM/P-AMS Strong's Greek 4695 |