κόρος

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kóros, represented by G2884, is a specific term for a unit of measure, derived from a Hebrew origin. It appears only 1 time in a single verse in the entire Bible, denoting a "cor" or measure.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of G2884 is found in the parable of the unjust steward. When a debtor is asked how much he owes, he replies, "An hundred measures of wheat" Luke 16:7. This word establishes a specific, quantifiable amount of debt related to a tangible commodity. The steward then instructs the debtor to alter the bill, using this measure as the basis for the transaction.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context of G2884:

• G1540 hekatón (a hundred): This number directly quantifies the measures owed, establishing the scale of the debt in the parable Luke 16:7.
• G4621 sîtos (grain, especially wheat): This specifies the commodity being measured. The debt is not abstract but consists of a valuable agricultural product Luke 16:7.
• G3784 opheílō (to owe): This word sets the scene, indicating that the use of kóros is within the context of a debt or obligation that is being called into account Luke 16:7.

Theological Significance

Although a practical term, the context of G2884 gives it theological weight within the parable.

• Tangible Value in Spiritual Lessons: The use of a specific measure G2884 for a common good like wheat G4621 shows how Jesus used concrete, everyday examples to illustrate principles of stewardship and mercy.
• Accountability and Reckoning: The term appears in a narrative centered on accounting for what one owes G3784. It underscores the theme that stewardship involves a quantifiable reckoning of the resources one manages.
• Defining Obligation: By providing a specific unit, kóros helps define the debtor's obligation in precise terms, making the steward's subsequent actions of reducing the debt more impactful within the story Luke 16:7.

Summary

In summary, G2884 kóros is a highly specific term for a unit of measure. Its single biblical appearance in Luke's Gospel grounds a spiritual parable in a realistic, transactional context involving a debt of wheat G4621. While not a major theological term on its own, its use in scripture is significant for how it helps frame a lesson on stewardship, debt, and accountability in tangible, understandable terms.