875. aphrizó

Lexicon

aphrizó: To foam

Original Word: ἀφρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aphrizó
Pronunciation: af-rid'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (af-rid'-zo)
Definition: To foam
Meaning: I foam (at the mouth), froth.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

foam.

From aphros; to froth at the mouth (in epilepsy) -- foam.

see GREEK aphros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aphros
Definition
to foam at the mouth
NASB Translation
foaming (1), foams (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 875: ἀφρίζω

ἀφρίζω; (ἀφρός); to foam: Mark 9:18, 20. (Sophocles El. 719; Diodorus 3, 10; Athen. 11, 43, p. 472 a.; (others).) (Compare: ἐπαφρίζω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἀφρός (aphrós), meaning "foam."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀφρίζω, similar concepts of foaming or frothing can be found in descriptions of distress or divine judgment, such as in the imagery of the sea foaming in Isaiah 57:20. However, these are more metaphorical and do not directly correspond to the physical manifestation described by ἀφρίζω.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to describe a physical manifestation often associated with demonic possession or severe illness, where an individual foams at the mouth.

Context: The Greek verb ἀφρίζω (aphrízō) appears in the New Testament in contexts that describe intense physical reactions, often linked to spiritual or medical crises. The term is notably used in the Gospel of Mark, where it describes the symptoms of a boy possessed by an unclean spirit. In Mark 9:18 (BSB), the father of the boy explains to Jesus, "Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid." This vivid description highlights the severity of the boy's condition and the desperation of his father seeking healing from Jesus.

The use of ἀφρίζω in this context underscores the belief in the spiritual realm's influence over physical health during the biblical era. The foaming at the mouth is a visible sign of the internal turmoil caused by the unclean spirit, illustrating the broader theme of spiritual warfare and the authority of Jesus to heal and deliver.

In a broader theological context, the term can be seen as a metaphor for the chaos and disorder that sin and demonic influence bring into human lives. The healing of the boy by Jesus not only demonstrates His compassion and power but also serves as a testament to the restoration and peace that come through faith in Him.

Forms and Transliterations

αφριζει αφρίζει ἀφρίζει αφριζων αφρίζων ἀφρίζων αφρόνως ηφρονεύσαντο aphrizei aphrízei aphrizon aphrizōn aphrízon aphrízōn

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 9:18 V-PIA-3S
GRK: αὐτόν καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει
NAS: him, it slams him [to the ground] and he foams [at the mouth], and grinds
KJV: him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
INT: him and he foams and gnashes

Mark 9:20 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων
NAS: he [began] rolling around and foaming [at the mouth].
KJV: the ground, and wallowed foaming.
INT: ground he rolled foaming

Strong's Greek 875
2 Occurrences

ἀφρίζει — 1 Occ.
ἀφρίζων — 1 Occ.