Strong's Lexicon knéthó: to itch, to tickle Original Word: κνήθω Word Origin: A primary verb Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "knéthó," the concept of seeking pleasing messages over truth can be related to passages warning against false prophets, such as Jeremiah 5:31 and Isaiah 30:10. Usage: The verb "knéthó" is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the act of having one's ears "tickled" or "itched," implying a desire to hear what is pleasing rather than what is true. It conveys the idea of seeking out teachings or doctrines that satisfy personal preferences rather than adhering to sound doctrine. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, rhetoric and philosophy were highly valued, and speakers often tailored their messages to please their audiences. This cultural context helps illuminate the metaphorical use of "knéthó" in the New Testament, where it warns against the tendency to seek out teachings that align with personal desires rather than divine truth. The concept of "itching ears" reflects a broader human tendency to prefer comforting lies over challenging truths. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina late form of knaó (to scrape) Definition to scratch, itch NASB Translation tickled (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2833: κνήθωκνήθω: present passive κνήθομαι; (from κνάω, infinitive κναν and Attic κνην); to scratch, tickle, make to itch; passive to itch: κνηθόμενοι τήν ἀκοήν (on the accusative cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 5), i. e. desirous of hearing something pleasant (Hesychius, κνήθειν τήν ἀκοήν. ζητοῦντες τί ἀκοῦσαι, καθ' ἡδονήν), 2 Timothy 4:3. (Middle τόν ὄνον κνήθεσθαι εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας τά ἕλκη, its sores, Aristotle, h. a. 9, 1, p. 609a, 32; κνην Ἀττικοι, κνήθειν Ἕλληνες, Moeris, p. 234; (cf. Veitch, under the word κνάω).) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance itching. From a primary knao (to scrape); to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle -- X itching. Forms and Transliterations κνηθομενοι κνηθόμενοι κνήμαι κνήμαις κνήμας κνήμην κνημίδες κνήφη κνίδη knethomenoi knethómenoi knēthomenoi knēthómenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Timothy 4:3 V-PPM/P-NMPGRK: ἐπισωρεύσουσιν διδασκάλους κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοήν NAS: but [wanting] to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate KJV: teachers, having itching ears; INT: will heap up teachers having an itching ear |
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