### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κώνωψ (kōnōps), transliterated as *kōnōps*, primarily denotes a "gnat" or "mosquito." Its base definition suggests a derivation from the base of κέντρον `{{G2759}}` (kentron), meaning "a sting" or "goad," and a derivative of ὀπτάνομαι (optanomai), "to see" or "appear." This etymological root points to an insect characterized by its stinging or piercing proboscis. The semantic range of κώνωψ is quite narrow, referring specifically to this small, often annoying, biting insect.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κώνωψ (kōnōps) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew:
* [[Matthew 23:24]]: "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
This verse is part of Jesus' severe denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, a powerful and extended critique found in [[Matthew 23]]. Jesus employs striking hyperbole to expose their hypocrisy. The imagery of "straining at a gnat" refers to the meticulous practices of some Jewish leaders who would filter their drinks to avoid inadvertently consuming even the smallest unclean insect, thereby maintaining ritual purity according to their interpretation of the Law (cf. Leviticus 11). This scrupulous attention to minor details is then contrasted with "swallowing a camel," an animal explicitly declared unclean (Leviticus 11:4) and, by its sheer size, an impossible thing to swallow unnoticed. The gnat in this context symbolizes something insignificant or trivial in the grand scheme of God's Law, while the camel represents something massive and profoundly significant. Jesus uses this vivid contrast to highlight the Pharisees' distorted priorities: their obsessive focus on outward, minor observances while simultaneously neglecting the far more crucial ethical and spiritual demands of the Law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **κέντρον (kentron) `{{G2759}}`**: As noted in the base definition, κώνωψ is etymologically linked to κέντρον, which signifies a "sting" or "prick." This connection subtly emphasizes the irritating, biting nature of the gnat, aligning with the minor but bothersome details the Pharisees focused on.
* **κάμηλος (kamēlos) `{{G2574}}`**: This word, meaning "camel," is the direct antithesis to κώνωψ in [[Matthew 23:24]]. The camel represents something large, significant, and ceremonially unclean, serving as a powerful foil to the tiny gnat. The pairing underscores the extreme disproportion in the Pharisees' priorities.
* **Legal Purity and Impurity**: The act of "straining at a gnat" directly relates to the intricate Jewish laws concerning ritual purity and dietary regulations (e.g., Leviticus 11). While not a direct commandment, the practice was an extreme application of the desire to avoid defilement.
* **Hypocrisy and Legalism**: The broader context of [[Matthew 23]] is a scathing indictment of hypocrisy. The use of κώνωψ exemplifies the dangers of legalism, where adherence to the letter of the law, especially its minutiae, overshadows the spirit and intent of God's commands.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of κώνωψ in the New Testament carries profound theological weight, primarily serving as a critical element in Jesus' condemnation of religious hypocrisy and misplaced priorities.
* **Critique of Superficial Piety**: Jesus' metaphor powerfully exposes the emptiness of outward religious observance that lacks inward moral integrity. The Pharisees were meticulous about avoiding minor ritual impurities (the gnat) but were blind to their own profound moral failings (swallowing the camel of injustice, unmercifulness, and unfaithfulness).
* **Emphasis on the "Weightier Matters"**: The "gnat and camel" proverb underscores Jesus' teaching on the true priorities of God's Law. He explicitly states that "justice and mercy and faithfulness" are the "weightier matters of the law" ([[Matthew 23:23]]), which the Pharisees neglected while focusing on tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. The gnat symbolizes the triviality that distracts from these essential virtues.
* **Discerning God's Will**: The passage serves as a timeless warning to believers against becoming so entangled in minor regulations or traditions that they lose sight of the core demands of God's character: love for God and neighbor, righteousness, and compassion. It calls for a discerning heart that prioritizes God's will over human traditions or superficial acts of piety.
### Summary
The Greek word κώνωψ (kōnōps), meaning "gnat," appears uniquely in [[Matthew 23:24]] as a central element in Jesus' sharp rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. In the vivid hyperbole, "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel," the gnat symbolizes the meticulous, almost obsessive, attention paid by religious leaders to minor ritualistic purity laws. This is starkly contrasted with the "camel," representing the grave moral and spiritual principles—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—which they flagrantly disregarded. The theological significance of κώνωψ lies not in its literal entomological meaning, but in its potent metaphorical function as a symbol of triviality elevated above the "weightier matters of the law." It serves as a profound and enduring indictment of legalism, hypocrisy, and the dangerous distortion of priorities that can occur when outward religious observance supplants genuine inward righteousness and adherence to God's fundamental moral commands. Its etymological link to κέντρον `{{G2759}}` (sting) subtly reinforces the idea of a small, bothersome detail that became disproportionately significant in their religious practice.
TRV