probably from ἑλκύω; an ulcer (as if drawn together):--sore.
Transliteration:hélkos
Pronunciation:hel'-kos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun `{{G1668}}` (hélkos) denotes a severe physical affliction, specifically an ulcer, a festering wound, or an open sore. Its etymological root is likely from the verb `{{G1670}}` (helkyō), meaning "to draw" or "to drag." This connection suggests a wound that "draws" fluid (like pus), or perhaps one that is "drawn together" in a painful contraction, or even a condition that "draws" attention due to its repulsive nature. The semantic range of `{{G1668}}` is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on this type of debilitating bodily ailment, implying a state of decay, disease, and often, extreme discomfort.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{G1668}}` appears three times in the New Testament, each instance powerfully conveying themes of suffering, judgment, or both:
* **[[Luke 16:21]]**: In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the poor man is described as being "full of sores" (`{{G1668}}`). Here, the presence of these sores underscores Lazarus's abject poverty, physical degradation, and social ostracization. The detail that "even the dogs would come and lick his sores" can be interpreted as either a further sign of his utter destitution or, perhaps, a poignant act of compassion from the only creatures willing to approach him. The sores vividly portray his suffering and serve as a stark contrast to the rich man's opulent lifestyle, setting the stage for the dramatic reversal of fortunes in the afterlife.
* **[[Revelation 16:2]]**: As the first of the seven bowls of God's wrath is poured out, a "foul and loathsome sore" (`{{G1668}}`) afflicts those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. This plague is a direct act of divine judgment, reminiscent of the boils (`{{H7822}}`) inflicted upon the Egyptians in [[Exodus 9:9-11]] and upon Job in [[Job 2:7]]. The severity and repugnance of the sores signify God's righteous indignation against idolatry and rebellion.
* **[[Revelation 16:11]]**: Following the pouring out of the fifth bowl, which brings darkness, those afflicted "gnawed their tongues because of their pains and their sores" (`{{G1668}}`). Despite this intense suffering, they "blasphemed the God of heaven and did not repent of their deeds." Here, the sores are part of a broader torment, demonstrating the unyielding hardness of heart among those under judgment. The physical agony, though severe, fails to lead them to repentance, highlighting their ultimate defiance of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual link for `{{G1668}}` (hélkos) is its likely etymological root, `{{G1670}}` (helkyō), "to draw" or "to drag," which gives insight into the nature of the sore as something festering or drawing matter.
More significantly, `{{G1668}}` has strong thematic and translational parallels with Old Testament Hebrew terms, particularly `{{H7822}}` (shechin), which refers to "boils" or "ulcers." The Septuagint frequently translates `{{H7822}}` with `{{G1668}}` (hélkos), establishing a clear precedent for its use in describing divinely-sent plagues and severe skin afflictions. This connection is vital for understanding the plague of sores in Revelation, as it directly echoes the sixth plague upon Egypt ([[Exodus 9:9-11]]) and Job's suffering ([[Job 2:7]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Physical suffering and pain**: `{{G3600}}` (odynē, pain, anguish), `{{G2558}}` (kakos, evil, bad, harmful), `{{G2347}}` (thlipsis, tribulation, affliction).
* **Disease and sickness**: `{{G769}}` (astheneia, weakness, sickness), `{{G3554}}` (nosos, disease, sickness).
* **Divine judgment**: The broader theme of God's wrath and punishment for sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G1668}}` is multifaceted, touching upon themes of human suffering, divine judgment, and the consequences of sin.
In the parable of Lazarus, `{{G1668}}` highlights the profound depth of human suffering and vulnerability, especially among the marginalized. The sores serve as a visible sign of Lazarus's desperate physical state, challenging the conventional wisdom that prosperity indicates divine favor. Instead, God's perspective elevates the suffering poor, underscoring the spiritual blindness and lack of compassion of the rich. This portrayal emphasizes the biblical theme of God's concern for the afflicted and the eventual reversal of earthly fortunes in the divine economy.
In Revelation, `{{G1668}}` takes on a starker, more punitive role. The "foul and loathsome sore" is a direct instrument of God's righteous wrath, a physical manifestation of the spiritual corruption and rebellion of those who align with the beast. These sores are not merely physical ailments but symbolic and actual torments, demonstrating the inescapable consequences of rejecting God's sovereignty. Their persistence, even amidst blasphemy, underscores the unrepentant nature of the condemned, who choose to defy God rather than seek His mercy. The sores, in this context, are a tangible sign of divine justice being meted out against sin and idolatry, echoing Old Testament patterns of judgment through plague.
### Summary
`{{G1668}}` (hélkos) denotes a severe, festering sore or ulcer, a potent symbol of physical decay and suffering. Its New Testament occurrences are limited but profoundly significant: in [[Luke 16:21]], it underscores the extreme poverty and affliction of Lazarus, highlighting themes of human suffering and divine reversal of status. In [[Revelation 16:2]] and [[Revelation 16:11]], `{{G1668}}` functions as a direct instrument of divine judgment, a painful and repulsive plague inflicted upon the unrepentant who oppose God. The word carries strong echoes of Old Testament plagues, particularly the boils (`{{H7822}}`) sent by God, establishing its role as a visible manifestation of divine displeasure and righteous wrath against sin and rebellion. Theologically, `{{G1668}}` serves to illustrate the depths of human suffering, the severity of God's judgment, and the unyielding nature of those who persist in defiance, even amidst torment.
TRV