Lexical Summary aphros: Foam Original Word: ἄφρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foaming. Apparently a primary word; froth, i.e. Slaver -- foaming. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word. Definition foam NASB Translation foaming (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 876: ἀφρόςἀφρός, ἀφροῦ, ὁ, foam: Luke 9:39. (Homer, Iliad 20, 168; (others).) Topical Lexicon Word Family and Literary Background Ἀφροῦ (ἀφρός) belongs to a small cluster of Greek words built on the root ἀφρ- that describe froth or foam. Cognates include ἀφρίζω “to foam” (Mark 9:18; Mark 9:20) and ἐπαφρίζω “to foam up” (Jude 1:13). In secular Greek the imagery ranges from sea spray to the saliva of a rabid animal; in Scripture it is consistently linked to turmoil and disorder. Biblical Occurrence: Luke 9:39 “A spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth; it scarcely ever leaves him, bruising him as it departs.” (Luke 9:39) The single New Testament instance of ἀφρός underscores the violent manifestation of demonic oppression in the boy brought to Jesus. The foam is not mere medical detail; it dramatizes the spiritual bondage from which only Christ can deliver. Foaming as a Mark of Demonic Affliction Mark’s parallel account uses the verb form: “He foams at the mouth” (Mark 9:18, 20). The physical froth is the outward sign of an inward tyrant. By recording it, the evangelists portray the stark contrast between the destructive chaos of evil spirits and the restoring authority of the Son of God. Foam Imagery in Scripture • Hosea 10:7 speaks of a doomed king who “will perish like foam on the surface of the water,” highlighting the fleeting, weightless nature of human power opposed to God. Across both Testaments, foam symbolizes instability, brevity, and shame—qualities that stand in opposition to the steadfastness of the Lord. Theology of Chaos versus Christ’s Authority Foam appears where violence churns water or where a demon ravages a body. In Luke 9 the Savior’s rebuke of the unclean spirit restores calm just as surely as His word once stilled Galilee’s storm. Whether sea or soul, turmoil yields to the Creator’s command. The episode therefore functions as a living parable of Psalm 65:7: the Lord “stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves.” Historical and Cultural Insights Ancient physicians knew that severe seizures could produce frothing, yet first-century Judaism also recognized spiritual causes (compare Matthew 4:24). Luke, the beloved physician, notes the symptom without discrediting the supernatural diagnosis, showing that medical observation and spiritual reality need not be at odds. Pastoral and Ministry Considerations 1. Discernment: Physical symptoms may mask spiritual bondage; prayerful evaluation is essential. Doctrinal Reflection The foam of Luke 9:39 is a vivid reminder that human brokenness—whether physiological, psychological, or spiritual—finds its ultimate remedy in Christ alone. The Lord’s triumph over the demon anticipates the cross and resurrection, where every chaotic power meets decisive defeat. Key Takeaways for the Church Today • External turbulence often signals deeper spiritual conflict. Forms and Transliterations αφρου αφρού ἀφροῦ aphrou aphroûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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