The Greek word hēmithanḗs, represented by G2253, describes a state of being half dead. It appears just 1 time across 1 unique verse in scripture. The term literally means half dead, or as an implication, entirely exhausted, capturing a moment of extreme vulnerability and helplessness.
The single use of G2253 occurs in a parable told by Jesus G2424. A certain man G444 traveling from Jerusalem G2419 to Jericho G2410 fell among G4045 thieves G3027. These robbers stripped G1562 and wounded G4127 him, then departed G565, leaving G863 him half dead Luke 10:30. The word powerfully illustrates the man's critical and abandoned condition after the violent attack.
Several related words from the same passage clarify the circumstances leading to this state:
- G4045 peripíptō (to fall into something that is all around, i.e. light among or upon, be surrounded with): This describes how the man fell among robbers, highlighting the sudden and overwhelming nature of the attack Luke 10:30.
- G3027 lēistḗs (a brigand): This word identifies the attackers as thieves or robbers Luke 10:30. The term is also used to describe the two men crucified with Jesus Matthew 27:38.
- G1562 ekdýō (to divest): This describes the act of being stripped, a term used for the traveler Luke 10:30 and for Jesus before his crucifixion Matthew 27:28.
- G4127 plēgḗ (a stroke; by implication, a wound): This specifies the physical violence inflicted. The man received wounds that left him in a critical state Luke 10:30. This term can also refer to calamities or plagues Revelation 22:18.
The theological weight of G2253 is derived from its dramatic context and the associated actions.
- A State of Helplessness: Being half dead represents a condition of utter incapacitation. The man is left completely vulnerable after being attacked by thieves G3027, unable to help himself Luke 10:30.
- Echoes of the Passion: The details surrounding the man's state parallel the suffering of Christ. The traveler was stripped G1562 by his attackers Luke 10:30, just as Jesus was stripped by soldiers Matthew 27:28.
- The Journey Downward: The man's journey is a literal descent, as he went down G2597 from Jerusalem G2419 to Jericho G2410. This physical descent mirrors his fall into a state of being half dead, moving from God's holy city toward a place of worldly conflict.
In summary, hēmithanḗs G2253, while used only once, provides a potent image of extreme suffering and helplessness. It describes a man who is not only physically attacked but left in a state between life and death. The context of the assault, with its parallels to the stripping of Christ, elevates the term beyond a simple description of injury. It underscores a state of profound desperation on a perilous journey, making the man's condition a poignant symbol of human vulnerability.
TRV