860. haphé

Lexicon

haphé: Touch, contact

Original Word: ἁφή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: haphé
Pronunciation: hah-FAY
Phonetic Spelling: (haf-ay')
Definition: Touch, contact
Meaning: a band, fastening (hence, possibly: a ligament), joint.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

joint.

From haptomai; probably a ligament (as fastening) -- joint.

see GREEK haptomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from haptó
Definition
a joint
NASB Translation
joint (1), joints (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 860: ἁφή

ἁφή, ἁφῆς, ἡ (ἅπτω to fasten together, to fit) (Vu]g.junctura (andnexus)), bond, connection (A. V. joint (see especially Lightfoot on Col. as below)): Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 2:19. (Plutarch, Anton c. 27.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἅπτω (haptō), meaning "to fasten to" or "to touch."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἁφή, the concept of touch or contact can be related to several Hebrew words, such as נָגַע (naga, Strong's Hebrew 5060), which means "to touch" or "to strike." This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe physical contact, sometimes with implications of ceremonial impurity or divine intervention.

Usage: The word ἁφή is used in the New Testament to describe physical touch or contact, often in the context of healing or the transmission of power. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a connection or union.

Context: The Greek word ἁφή appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the significance of touch or contact, particularly in relation to Jesus' healing ministry. In the Gospels, physical touch is often depicted as a conduit for divine power and healing. For instance, in the account of the woman with the issue of blood, her touch of Jesus' garment results in her healing (Mark 5:27-29). This illustrates the belief in the tangible transmission of divine power through physical contact.

Theologically, ἁφή can also be understood in the context of spiritual union or connection. In Colossians 2:19, the term is used metaphorically to describe the connection of the body of Christ, the church, to its head, Jesus. This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spiritual connection to Christ, from whom the whole body is nourished and held together.

The concept of touch in the biblical narrative often transcends mere physical interaction, symbolizing deeper spiritual truths about faith, healing, and the believer's relationship with Christ. The use of ἁφή in the New Testament underscores the transformative power of faith and the intimate connection between the divine and the human.

Forms and Transliterations

αφαίς αφή αφηγή αφηγούμενε αφηγούμενοι αφηγουμένοις αφηγούμενον αφηγούμενος αφηγουμένου αφηγουμένους αφηγουμένω αφήν αφης αφής ἁφῆς αφων αφών ἁφῶν aphes aphēs aphon aphōn haphes haphês haphēs haphē̂s haphon haphôn haphōn haphō̂n

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 4:16 N-GFS
GRK: διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας
NAS: every joint supplies,
KJV: that which every joint supplieth,
INT: by every joint of the supply

Colossians 2:19 N-GFP
GRK: διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων
NAS: and held together by the joints and ligaments,
KJV: the body by joints and bands
INT: by the joints and ligaments

Strong's Greek 860
2 Occurrences

ἁφῆς — 1 Occ.
ἁφῶν — 1 Occ.