621. apoleichó

Lexicon

apoleichó: To lick off, to lick clean

Original Word: ἀπολείχω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apoleichó
Pronunciation: ah-po-LAY-kho
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-i'-kho)
Definition: To lick off, to lick clean
Meaning: I lick off, lick clean, lick up.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lick.

From apo and leicho (to "lick"); to lick clean -- lick.

see GREEK apo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for epileichó, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 621: ἀπολείχω

ἀπολείχω: (imperfect ἀπέλειχον); to lick off, lick up: Luke 16:21 R G; cf. ἐπιλείχω. ((Apollonius Rhodius, 4, 478); Athen. vi. c. 13, p. 250 a.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the Greek prefix ἀπό (apo, meaning "from" or "away") and the verb λείχω (leichō, meaning "to lick").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀπολείχω, the concept of licking or cleansing wounds can be related to Hebrew terms that describe similar actions or behaviors of animals. However, specific Hebrew words that directly correspond to the Greek term in the context of licking are not explicitly listed in Strong's Concordance. The thematic parallels can be drawn from broader biblical narratives involving animals and their interactions with humans.

Usage: The verb ἀπολείχω is used in the context of animals licking wounds or sores, often to provide relief or cleansing.

Context: The Greek verb ἀπολείχω appears in the New Testament in the context of describing the actions of dogs. It is a vivid term that conveys the natural behavior of animals tending to wounds by licking them, which was believed to have healing properties due to the cleansing action of saliva. This term is notably used in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where it describes the dogs licking the sores of the poor man, Lazarus, as he lay at the rich man's gate.

In Luke 16:21 (BSB), the passage reads: "And longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, even the dogs came and licked his sores." Here, ἀπολείχω illustrates the dire condition of Lazarus and the compassion shown by the dogs, contrasting with the indifference of the rich man. This usage highlights themes of suffering, neglect, and the unexpected sources of comfort and care.

The act of licking by the dogs serves as a metaphor for the reversal of expected roles and the presence of divine care in unexpected forms. It underscores the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the marginalized and the overlooked, as well as the ultimate justice and reversal of fortunes in the kingdom of God.

Forms and Transliterations

απέλειχον απολιθωθήτωσαν επελειχον ἐπέλειχον epeleichon epéleichon

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 16:21 V-IIA-3P
GRK: κύνες ἐρχόμενοι ἐπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη
KJV: the dogs came and licked his sores.
INT: dogs coming licked the sores

Strong's Greek 621
1 Occurrence

ἐπέλειχον — 1 Occ.