Lexical Summary phruganon: Stick, brushwood, kindling Original Word: φρύγανον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stick. Neuter of a presumed derivative of phrugo (to roast or parch; akin to the base of phlox); something desiccated, i.e. A dry twig -- stick. see GREEK phlox NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. verb phrugó (to parch) Definition a dry stick NASB Translation sticks (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5434: φρύγανονφρύγανον, φρυγανου, τό (from φρύγω or φρύσσω, φρύττω, to dry, parch; cf. Latin frigo, frux, fructus), a dry stick, dry twig; generally in the plural this word comprises all dry sticks, brush-wood, fire-wood, or similar material used as fuel: Acts 28:3. (Herodotus 4, 62; Arstph, Thucydides, Xenophon, Philo, others; the Sept. for קַשׁ, straw, stubble, Isaiah 40:24; Isaiah 41:2; Isaiah 47:14; for חָרוּל, bramble, Job 30:7.) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term and Its Single New Testament Occurrence The word denotes small, dry sticks or brushwood suitable for kindling. It appears once, in Acts 28:3, where Paul—having just survived shipwreck—gathers such fuel for a communal fire. The action is mundane, yet it frames an event that magnifies God’s protection and advances the gospel among the islanders. Brushwood in the Broader Biblical Landscape Throughout Scripture, combustible brush serves as a vivid image of transience and judgment. Passages such as Psalm 118:12 (“They surrounded me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns…”) and Isaiah 33:11 (“You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble…”) employ the analogy to underscore the brevity of human schemes before divine fire. The motif surfaces again in Nahum 1:10 and Malachi 4:1, reinforcing a consistent biblical theme: what is dry and lifeless is easily consumed when exposed to the heat of God’s holiness. Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Usage In the first-century Mediterranean world, brushwood was a common fuel for cooking and warmth. Storm-driven ships carried little firewood; survivors scavenged whatever had washed ashore. Paul’s willingness to gather sticks aligns with the servant-leadership modeled by Jesus Christ (Luke 22:27), illustrating that no task is beneath the minister of the gospel. Lessons from Acts 28:3 “Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.” (Acts 28:3) 1. Humble Service: The apostle, though the voyage’s spiritual leader, engages in the simplest labor. Biblical Theology: Fire, Testing, and the Consumable Nature of Brushwood Fire reveals quality. Just as Paul’s fire exposed the viper, the final judgment will expose every work. “The fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:13) Brushwood represents works of the flesh—temporary, easily burned—contrasted with the enduring “gold, silver, precious stones” of Spirit-wrought obedience. The believer is exhorted to build with what endures. Christ, the Serpent Crusher, and Paul’s Deliverance Paul’s immunity to the snake’s venom provides a living parable of the gospel. The serpent that sought to harm cannot prevail against the bearer of Christ’s message. This mirrors the victory of the cross, where Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15), ensuring that Satan’s ultimate sting—death—has been rendered powerless for those in Christ. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Servant Posture: No ministerial role exempts one from practical service. Gathering sticks opens doors for gospel witness. Summary Strong’s Greek 5434, though rare in the New Testament, invites rich reflection. In Acts 28 it anchors lessons on humility, divine protection, eschatological testing, and Christ’s triumph over the serpent. The fleeting nature of brushwood contrasts with the enduring work God calls His people to pursue—a call that remains vital for the church today. Forms and Transliterations φρύγανα φρύγανον φρυγανων φρυγάνων phruganon phruganōn phryganon phryganōn phrygánon phrygánōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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