Lexical Summary phragmos: Fence, wall, hedge Original Word: φραγμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hedge, partition. From phrasso; a fence, or inclosing barrier (literally or figuratively) -- hedge (+ round about), partition. see GREEK phrasso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phrassó Definition a fencing in, a fence NASB Translation barrier (1), hedges (1), wall (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5418: φραγμόςφραγμός, φραγμοῦ, ὁ (φράσσω to fence round), a hedge, a fence: Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1; Luke 14:23; tropically, that which separates, prevents two from coming together, Ephesians 2:14 (A. V. partition), see μεσότοιχον. (The Sept., Sir. 36:30(27); Herodotus, Sophocles, Thucydides, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Biblical OccurrencesMatthew 21:33 and Mark 12:1 employ the term within the Parable of the Vineyard: “There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower” (Matthew 21:33). Luke 14:23 places the word in the Parable of the Banquet: “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled”. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians uses the image metaphorically: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Agricultural and Societal Background Stone walls or living hedges were integral to first-century vineyards. They prevented wild animals from devouring produce, discouraged thieves, and established legal boundaries for inheritance. The audience of Jesus’ parables would have recognized the effort and expense required to construct such barriers, underscoring the owner’s rightful expectation of fruit. Parabolic Imagery in the Gospels 1. Protection and Provision In the vineyard parables (Matthew 21; Mark 12) the enclosure highlights divine care for Israel. The wall testifies that the vinedresser has supplied everything needed for fruitfulness; failure to produce grapes therefore exposes willful rebellion, not insufficient resources. 2. Accountability and Impending Judgment When the tenants reject the owner’s messengers and son, the protective structure that once symbolized privilege becomes the stage for judgment. The enclosure will not shield unfaithful tenants from the owner’s justice, foreshadowing the transfer of stewardship to others who will yield fruit. 3. Invitation to the Margins Luke 14:23 reverses the imagery. Instead of remaining inside protection, servants cross the barrier to reach those outside. The hedges represent social and religious perimeters. By commanding His servants to go beyond them, the master proclaims that grace extends past all human boundaries. Barrier Broken Down in Christ Ephesians 2:14 takes the imagery from agriculture to architecture—the dividing wall within the Jerusalem temple that kept Gentiles at a distance. Christ’s death dismantled that partition, reconciling Jews and Gentiles into “one new man.” What once excluded now stands removed, demonstrating that the gospel unites believers across every line of separation—ethnic, cultural, and ceremonial. Theological Themes • Covenant Protection: God erects boundaries to guard His people and His purposes. Historical and Ministry Significance Early church communities, formed of Jews and Gentiles, read Ephesians 2:14 as divine warrant for table fellowship, shared worship, and mutual service. Subsequent mission movements have echoed Luke 14:23, venturing past cultural hedges to invite the unreached. Likewise, the vineyard parables caution every generation of believers against presuming upon covenant privileges while neglecting fruitfulness. Practical Application for the Church • Guard the flock: Establish healthy doctrinal and moral boundaries that protect God’s people. Summary Throughout Scripture the motif of the fence or hedge points simultaneously to God’s gracious provision, humanity’s accountability, Christ’s reconciling work, and the church’s outward-moving mission. The believer is called to remain within the safety of divine truth while crossing cultural and social barriers to invite all peoples into the vineyard and the banquet hall of the King. Forms and Transliterations φραγμοί φραγμον φραγμόν φραγμὸν φραγμός φραγμου φραγμού φραγμοῦ φραγμους φραγμούς φραγμοὺς φραγμώ φραγμών phragmon phragmòn phragmou phragmoû phragmous phragmoùsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 21:33 N-AMSGRK: ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκεν NAS: AND PUT A WALL AROUND KJV: a vineyard, and hedged it round about, INT: a vineyard and a fence it placed around Mark 12:1 N-AMS Luke 14:23 N-AMP Ephesians 2:14 N-GMS Strong's Greek 5418 |
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