Lexical Summary zumoó: To leaven, to ferment Original Word: ζυμόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance leaven, fermentFrom zume; to cause to ferment -- leaven. see GREEK zume HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2220 zymóō – mix with leaven. See 2219 (zymē). [Leaven does its work even before it causes bread to rise (which ideally happens at 110◦ F.)] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zumé Definition to leaven NASB Translation leavened (2), leavens (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2220: ζυμόωζυμόω, ζύμω; 1 aorist passive ἐζυμωθην; (ζύμη); to leaven (to mix leaven with dough so as to make it ferment): 1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9 (on which passage see ζύμη); ἕως ἐζυμώθη ὅλον, namely, τό ἄλευρον, words which refer to the saving power of the gospel, which from a small beginning will gradually pervade and transform the whole human race: Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21. (the Sept., Hipp., Athen., Plutarch.) Topical Lexicon Cultural and Scriptural Background In the ancient Mediterranean kitchen a small lump of fermented dough, kept from a previous baking, was kneaded into fresh flour so that the whole batch would rise. Because the process was common, invisible, and powerful, leaven soon became a vivid metaphor in Israelite thought. Under Moses the people removed all leaven for seven days at Passover, commemorating a hurried exodus and symbolizing a break with Egypt’s defilement (Exodus 12:15; Deuteronomy 16:4). This long-standing picture of pervasive influence lies behind every New Testament use of Strong’s Greek 2220. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21 – kingdom parables 1 Corinthians 5:6 – church discipline in Corinth Galatians 5:9 – warning against legalistic teaching Positive imagery: the quiet advance of the kingdom Matthew 13:33 records Jesus saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until it was all leavened”. Here leaven conveys the steady, transformative work of God among His people. The quantity—about twenty kilograms of meal—shows how something imperceptible can ultimately permeate a vast domain. Luke repeats the parable, highlighting Christ’s expectation that His rule will grow from hidden beginnings to visible consummation. For disciples this encourages patience; God’s government, though often unseen, is irresistibly at work in the world and in individual hearts. Negative imagery: the spread of sin and error Paul adopts the same household picture to expose moral and doctrinal compromise. In both letters Paul stresses the ease with which corruption spreads and the necessity of swift, uncompromising action. Consistent theological principles 1. Influence is inevitable. Whatever is introduced—truth or error—will affect the whole. Historical reception Early Fathers such as Ignatius and Origen followed Paul in applying leaven negatively to heresy, warning that unchecked deviation would corrupt entire communities. At the same time they used Jesus’ parable to encourage missionary zeal: the gospel seed, once planted, would permeate the Roman world. Reformers likewise balanced the themes—celebrating the gospel’s transformative power while guarding against doctrinal dilution. Ministry implications • Discipleship: cultivate small, hidden acts of obedience that God magnifies over time. Summary Whether illuminating the unstoppable advance of God’s reign or warning against the insidious creep of corruption, Strong’s Greek 2220 provides a rich domestic metaphor that summons believers to vigilance, faith, and hope. Forms and Transliterations εζυμωθη εζυμώθη ἐζυμώθη εζυμωμένη εζυμωμένοι εζωγραφημένους εζωγράφησά ζυμοι ζυμοί ζυμοῖ ζυμωθήναι ζυμωτόν ζωγρείαν ζωγρίαν ezumothe ezumōthē ezymothe ezymōthē ezymṓthe ezymṓthē zumoi zymoi zymoîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 13:33 V-AIP-3SGRK: ἕως οὗ ἐζυμώθη ὅλον NAS: until it was all leavened. KJV: the whole was leavened. INT: until which was leavened all Luke 13:21 V-AIP-3S 1 Corinthians 5:6 V-PIA-3S Galatians 5:9 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 2220 |