a strengthened form of a primary idos (sweat); perspiration:--sweat.
Transliteration:hidrṓs
Pronunciation:hid-roce'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ἱδρώς (hidrṓs, `{{G2402}}`) denotes "sweat" or "perspiration." Its etymological root is described as a "strengthened form of a primary idos (sweat)," suggesting an emphasis on the intensity or nature of the bodily fluid. Semantically, it refers to the watery excretion from the sweat glands, typically associated with physical exertion, heat, or conditions of extreme stress, fear, or illness. While its core meaning is straightforward and concrete, its singular biblical occurrence imbues it with profound contextual significance beyond a mere physiological description. The word itself carries no inherent moral or theological valence; its meaning is entirely derived from the context in which it appears.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἱδρώς (hidrṓs, `{{G2402}}`) appears only once in the entire New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 22:44]]**: "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
This solitary occurrence is found within the narrative of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately prior to his betrayal and arrest. The context is one of unparalleled spiritual and emotional distress. Jesus is depicted as being in ἀγωνία (agōnia, `{{G74}}`), an intense struggle or conflict, which manifests physically in his "sweat...as it were great drops of blood." This phenomenon, known medically as hematidrosis, is a rare condition where capillaries near the sweat glands rupture due to extreme psychological or physical stress, causing blood to mix with sweat and exude from the skin. The Lucan account emphasizes the severity of Jesus' internal suffering, indicating that his agony was not merely mental anguish but had tangible, visible physical effects. The phrase "falling down to the ground" further highlights the abundance and gravity of this manifestation.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ἱδρώς (hidrṓs, `{{G2402}}`) itself has no direct Greek synonyms in the New Testament that share its precise meaning, its contextual usage brings it into relation with several significant biblical concepts and terms:
* **ἀγωνία (agōnia, `{{G74}}`)**: Directly preceding ἱδρώς in [[Luke 22:44]], this word signifies "agony," "struggle," or "contest." The sweat is presented as a direct physical outcome of this profound internal struggle.
* **αἷμα (haima, `{{G129}}`)**: "Blood." The comparison of sweat to "drops of blood" links Jesus' Gethsemane suffering to the sacrificial nature of his impending death, where blood is the ultimate sign of atonement.
* **Toil and Labor**: In the Old Testament, sweat is often associated with the curse of toil and labor following the Fall, as seen in [[Genesis 3:19]]: "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread." While not a direct etymological link, Jesus' sweat in Gethsemane can be seen as a profound reversal or re-contextualization of this curse, as he labors not for personal sustenance but for the redemption of humanity.
* **Humanity of Christ**: The physical manifestation of sweat underscores the full humanity of Jesus, affirming that he truly experienced human weakness, fear, and suffering, countering any docetic tendencies (the belief that Jesus only *seemed* to be human).
* **Prayer and Obedience**: The context of Jesus' Gethsemane prayer ("not my will, but yours be done" [[Luke 22:42]]) demonstrates that his intense suffering and physical manifestation of sweat were endured in perfect submission to the Father's will.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ἱδρώς (hidrṓs, `{{G2402}}`) in [[Luke 22:44]] carries immense theological weight, serving as a powerful testament to several core doctrines:
1. **The Full Humanity of Christ**: Jesus' ἱδρώς is irrefutable evidence of his genuine human nature. He was not merely a divine being playing a role, but truly flesh and blood, susceptible to extreme physical and emotional pain. This underscores the Incarnation's reality and the depth of God's identification with humanity.
2. **The Intensity of Atonement**: The "great drops of blood" signify the profound spiritual and physical cost of bearing the sin of the world. Jesus' suffering began not on the cross, but in the Garden, where he wrestled with the full weight of divine wrath against sin. This sweat is a prelude to the shedding of his blood on Calvary, highlighting that the atoning work encompassed his entire being, from the agony of his soul to the very pores of his skin.
3. **Obedience in Suffering**: The sweat is a physical manifestation of Jesus' ἀγωνία (agōnia, `{{G74}}`), yet it occurs within the context of his resolute prayer of submission to the Father's will ("Nevertheless not my will, but yours be done" [[Luke 22:42]]). It demonstrates the immense cost of his obedience and the depth of his commitment to fulfill the divine plan of salvation, even when faced with the most excruciating internal and external suffering.
4. **Empathy and Intercession**: Jesus' experience of ἱδρώς in Gethsemane allows him to fully empathize with human suffering and weakness. He is a high priest who can sympathize with our infirmities, having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([[Hebrews 4:15]]).
### Summary
The Greek word ἱδρώς (hidrṓs, `{{G2402}}`) translates to "sweat" or "perspiration." Its sole appearance in the New Testament, in [[Luke 22:44]], describes Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where his sweat became "as it were great drops of blood." This powerful imagery serves as a profound theological statement, emphasizing the full humanity of Christ and the unparalleled intensity of his spiritual and physical suffering as he prepared to bear the sins of the world. The ἱδρώς in Gethsemane is a poignant testament to the cost of atonement, Jesus' perfect obedience to the Father's will, and the depth of his identification with the human condition, making him a sympathetic and capable High Priest.
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