◄ 4742. stigma ►
Strong's Lexicon stigma: Mark, brand Original Word: στίγμα Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: stigma Pronunciation: STIG-mah Phonetic Spelling: (stig'-mah) Definition: a mark or brand. Meaning: A mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e., a scar of service. Word Origin: From the primary verb στίζω (stízō), meaning "to prick" or "to mark." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for στίγμα in the Old Testament. However, the concept of marking or inscribing is present in various contexts, such as the marking of Cain (Genesis 4:15) or the engraving of names on stones (Exodus 28:11). These instances reflect the broader biblical theme of identity and belonging, which στίγμα encapsulates in the New Testament. Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to refer to physical marks or scars that signify ownership or allegiance, often with a connotation of suffering or persecution for one's beliefs. Context: The Greek word στίγμα (stígma) appears in the New Testament in Galatians 6:17, where the Apostle Paul states, "From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." In this context, στίγμα refers to the physical scars or marks that Paul bore as a result of his sufferings and persecutions for the sake of Christ. These marks served as a testament to his dedication and service to Jesus, akin to the branding of a slave or soldier to indicate ownership or allegiance. In the ancient world, στίγμα was commonly used to describe the branding or tattooing of slaves, soldiers, or devotees of a deity, marking them as belonging to a particular master or cause. For Paul, these marks were not merely physical but also symbolic of his identity and mission as an apostle of Christ. They represented the trials he endured and his unwavering commitment to the gospel. The concept of bearing marks for one's faith resonates with the broader New Testament theme of sharing in Christ's sufferings (Philippians 3:10) and being conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). Paul's use of στίγμα underscores the reality that following Christ may involve enduring hardships and bearing visible signs of one's faith journey. HELPS Word-studies 4742 stígma – properly, a brand mark burned into the skin; (figuratively) "holy scars" that go with serving Jesus as Lord (used only in Gal 6:17). 4742 /stígma ("brand-mark") refers to the literal scars on Paul from the lictor's rods at Pisidian Antioch, the stoning at Lystra, etc. These "marked Paul off" as the slave of Jesus (bearing "holy scars for Christ"). [Brand-marks (4742 /stígma), like "tatoos" (Gk stigmata), were burned into the skin of slaves in NT times – proving they belonged to a particular owner.] Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4742: στίγμα στίγμα, στιγματος, τό (from στίζω to prick; (cf. Latinstimulus, etc.; German stechen, English stick, sting, etc.; Curtius, § 226)), a mark pricked in or branded upon the body. According to ancient oriental usage, slaves and soldiers bore the name or stamp of their master or commander branded or pricked (cut) into their bodies to indicate what master or general they belonged to, and there were even some devotees who stamped themselves in this way with the token of their gods (cf. Deyling, Observations, iii., p. 423ff); hence, τά στίγματα τοῦ (κυρίου so Rec.) Ἰησοῦ, the marks of (the Lord) Jesus, which Paul in Galatians 6:17 says he bears branded on his body, are the traces left there by the perils, hardships, imprisonments, scourgings, endured by him for the cause of Christ, and which mark him as Christ's faithful and approved votary, servant, soldier (see Lightfoots Commentary on Galatians, the passage cited). (Herodotus 7, 233; Aristotle, Aelian, Plutarch, Lcian, others.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mark, brand From a primary stizo (to "stick", i.e. Prick); a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service -- mark. Forms and Transliterations στιγματα στίγματα στιγμάτων stigmata stígmata Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Galatians 6:17 N-ANP GRK: γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ NAS: on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. KJV: my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. INT: indeed the marks Jesus Strong's Greek 4742 1 Occurrence στίγματα — 1 Occ.