◄ 4435. pugmé ►
Strong's Lexicon pugmé: Fist, a measure of length from the elbow to the knuckles. Original Word: πυγμή Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pugmé Pronunciation: poog-MAY Phonetic Spelling: (poog-may') Definition: the fist. Meaning: The term "pugmē" refers to the fist or a measure of length from the elbow to the knuckles, often translated as "fist" or "hand" in the context of ritual washing. Word Origin: Derived from the base of πυγμάχος (pugmachos), meaning "a boxer" or "fighting with the fists." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "pugmē," the concept of ritual washing and purity is prevalent in the Hebrew Bible. Related Hebrew terms include טָהוֹר (tahor, Strong's 2889) meaning "clean" or "pure," and רָחַץ (rachats, Strong's 7364) meaning "to wash" or "to bathe." These terms reflect the broader biblical theme of purity and the practices associated with maintaining ritual cleanliness. Usage: The word "pugmē" is used in the New Testament to describe a specific Jewish ritual practice of washing hands up to the wrist or fist, as part of ceremonial cleanliness. Context: The term "pugmē" appears in the New Testament in the context of Jewish traditions concerning ritual purity. In Mark 7:3, the Pharisees and all the Jews are described as not eating unless they wash their hands "with a fist" (pugmē), adhering to the traditions of the elders. This practice was part of a broader set of purity laws that governed daily life and religious observance. The washing of hands "with a fist" likely involved a thorough cleansing up to the wrist, ensuring that the hands were ritually clean before eating. This practice highlights the emphasis on external purity and adherence to tradition that characterized the religious life of many Jews during the Second Temple period. Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees in this passage underscores a recurring theme in His ministry: the tension between external religious observance and internal spiritual integrity. By addressing these practices, Jesus pointed to the deeper moral and spiritual cleanliness that God desires, beyond mere ritual compliance. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from pux (the fist) Definition the fist NASB Translation carefully (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4435: πυγμή πυγμή, 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 fist From 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 pygmē̂i Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Mark 7:3 N-DFS GRK: ἐὰν μὴ πυγμῇ νίψωνται τὰς NAS: unless they carefully wash KJV: they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, INT: if not carefully they wash the Strong's Greek 4435 1 Occurrence πυγμῇ — 1 Occ.