The Greek word korásion, represented by G2877, is a term for a (little) girl. It appears 8 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible. The word is used to refer to a young female, translated as damsel or maid.
In the biblical narrative, G2877 is used in two key accounts. It describes the young girl whom Jesus raises from the dead, where He states, "the maid is not dead, but sleepeth" Matthew 9:24. After taking her by the hand, "the maid arose" Matthew 9:25. The Aramaic phrase "Talitha cumi" is directly interpreted as "Damsel, I say unto thee, arise" Mark 5:41. The term is also used for the daughter of Herodias, who danced for Herod. The king addresses her as damsel Mark 6:22, and she is the damsel who receives the head of John the Baptist on a charger (Matthew 14:11, Mark 6:28).
Several related words provide context for the events surrounding the damsel:
- G2364 thygátēr (a female child, or (by Hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)): This word is used in parallel to G2877, as when the daughter of Herodias Mark 6:22 is then referred to as the damsel.
- G2518 katheúdō (to lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)): This term is used by Jesus to describe the state of the young girl, explaining that the maid G2877 is not dead but sleepeth Matthew 9:24.
- G1453 egeírō (to waken... i.e. rouse): This word for rising or waking is the command given to the damsel G2877 in the Aramaic interpretation, "arise" Mark 5:41, and it describes the result of Jesus' action when "the maid arose" Matthew 9:25.
The theological weight of G2877 is tied directly to the narratives in which it appears.
- Power Over Death: The word G2877 is central to one of Christ's most personal miracles. The raising of the maid Matthew 9:25 or damsel Mark 5:42 serves as a direct demonstration of His authority over death itself.
- Death as "Sleep": Jesus reframes the finality of death by referring to the girl as one who merely sleepeth G2518 Matthew 9:24. This provides a theological lens for understanding physical death in the presence of Him who has power to raise G1453 the dead.
- A Focal Point for Moral Contrast: The word appears in two starkly different contexts. In one, a damsel is the recipient of a life-giving miracle Mark 5:41-42. In the other, a damsel is an agent in the execution of John the Baptist Matthew 14:11, highlighting a contrast between divine restoration and human corruption.
In summary, G2877 is not just a descriptor for a young girl. It designates the specific individuals at the center of profound spiritual events. The term is forever linked to narratives that showcase Christ's power to restore life and stands in contrast to its use in a story of manipulation and death, illustrating the dramatic intersection of the divine and the fallen in the biblical record.
TRV