Strong's Lexicon pugmé: Fist, a measure of length from the elbow to the knuckles. Original Word: πυγμή Word Origin: Derived from the base of πυγμή (pugmē), meaning "fist" or "a handful." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "pugmé," the concept of ritual washing is related to Hebrew terms like "טָהוֹר" (tahor, Strong's H2889) meaning "clean" or "pure," and "רָחַץ" (rachats, Strong's H7364) meaning "to wash." Usage: In the New Testament, "pugmé" is used to describe a specific measurement, particularly in the context of ritual washing. It refers to the practice of washing up to the elbow, which was a traditional Jewish custom for ceremonial cleanliness. Cultural and Historical Background: In Jewish tradition, ritual purity was of significant importance, and various practices were established to maintain it. One such practice was the ceremonial washing of hands, which extended to the elbow, known as "pugmé." This was not merely for physical cleanliness but was a symbolic act representing spiritual purity and adherence to the Law. The Pharisees and other religious leaders of the time placed great emphasis on these traditions, sometimes elevating them to the level of divine commandments. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pux (the fist) Definition the fist NASB Translation carefully (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4435: πυγμήπυγμή, πυγμης, ἡ (πύξ, from ΠΥΚΩ, Latinpungo, pupugi (pugnus; O. H. G. 'fust', English 'fist'; cf. Curtius, § 384)), from Homer down, the Sept. for אֶנְרוף (Exodus 21:18; Isaiah 58:4), the fist: πυγμή νίπτεσθαι τάς χεῖρας, to wash the hands with the fist, i. e. so that one hand is rubbed with the clenched fist of the other (R. V. marginal reading (after Theoph., others) up to the elbow; but cf. Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, 2:11), Mark 7:3 (where Tdf. πυκνά, see πυκνός). (Cf. James Morison's Commentary at the passage.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fistFrom a primary pux (the fist as a weapon); the clenched hand, i.e. (only in dative case as adverb) with the fist (hard scrubbing) -- oft. Forms and Transliterations πυγμαίς πυγμη πυγμή πυγμῇ πυθμένα πυθμένες πυθμένι pugme pugmē pygme pygmē pygmêi pygmē̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |