◄ 5454. phóleos ►
Strong's Lexicon phóleos: Den, Lair Original Word: φωλεός Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phóleos Pronunciation: fo-leh-os' Phonetic Spelling: (fo-leh-os') Definition: a burrow, hole, den, lair. Meaning: A den, lair, or hole; a place where animals, particularly wild ones, reside or take refuge. Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φώλεος (phōleos), meaning "to lurk" or "to hide." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H4583 מָעוֹן (ma'own): A dwelling place, habitation, or refuge, often used in the Old Testament to describe the dwelling places of animals or the habitation of God. • H4584 מְעוּנָה (me'unah): A den or lair, similar in usage to φωλεός, referring to the natural habitats of animals. This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term φωλεός, highlighting its significance in biblical teachings and its metaphorical application in the New Testament. Usage: The term φωλεός is used in the New Testament to describe the dwelling places of animals, often in a metaphorical sense to illustrate spiritual or moral truths. Context: The Greek word φωλεός appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the natural habitats of animals, often to draw a parallel with human conditions or spiritual teachings. In Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58, Jesus uses the term to highlight the contrast between the security and comfort of animals and His own lack of a permanent home. The passages read: "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (BSB). This usage underscores the humility and sacrifice inherent in Jesus' earthly ministry, as well as the transient nature of His mission. The imagery of a den or lair evokes notions of safety and seclusion, which are natural for animals but are presented as absent in the life of Jesus. This serves to illustrate the cost of discipleship and the call to follow Christ without the expectation of worldly security. The metaphor extends to the spiritual realm, where believers are encouraged to seek refuge not in earthly dwellings but in the promises of God. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a hole, den NASB Translation holes (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5454: φωλεός φωλεός, φωλεου, ὁ, a lurking-hole, burrow; a lair: of animals, Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58. (Aristotle, Aelian, Plutarch, Geoponica, others.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hole, den Of uncertain derivative; a burrow or lurking-place -- hole. Forms and Transliterations φωλεους φωλεούς φωλεοὺς pholeous pholeoùs phōleous phōleoùs Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 8:20 N-AMP GRK: Αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ NAS: have holes and the birds KJV: The foxes have holes, and the birds INT: foxes holes have and Luke 9:58 N-AMP GRK: Αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ NAS: have holes and the birds KJV: Foxes have holes, and birds INT: The foxes holes have and Strong's Greek 5454 2 Occurrences φωλεοὺς — 2 Occ.