The Greek word mastós, represented by G3149, refers to a breast or pap. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The term is specifically used to denote the female breast, often in the context of childbearing and nurturing.
The word G3149 is used in both literal and symbolic contexts. In Luke, a woman from the crowd blesses Jesus by referencing his physical origins, saying, "Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked" Luke 11:27. In a contrasting passage, Jesus foretells a time of great distress where the opposite will be considered a blessing: "Blessed are the barren... and the paps which never gave suck" Luke 23:29. The book of Revelation presents a symbolic use, describing the Son of man as "girt about the paps with a golden girdle" Revelation 1:13, signifying a figure of great authority.
Several related words are used alongside G3149 to build a fuller picture of motherhood and sustenance:
- G2836 koilía (belly, womb): This word is paired directly with mastós in both Luke 11:27 and Luke 23:29 to form a complete image of maternity, referencing both the bearing and the nursing of a child.
- G2337 thēlázō (to suckle, to suck): This verb describes the action directly associated with mastós, as seen in the phrases "paps which never gave suck" Luke 23:29 and "paps which thou hast sucked" Luke 11:27.
- G1080 gennáō (to bear, beget, be born): This word is used to describe the function of the womb, appearing in close context with mastós when speaking of the "wombs that never bare" Luke 23:29.
- G941 bastázō (to lift... bear, carry): This word is also used to describe the act of carrying a child in the womb, as seen in the blessing, "Blessed is the womb that bare thee" Luke 11:27.
The theological weight of G3149 is found in its contrasting applications.
- A Sign of Blessing: In Luke's Gospel, the term is part of a conventional blessing that honors the physical act of motherhood and the intimate bond of nurturing a child Luke 11:27.
- A Prophecy of Judgment: Jesus inverts this common blessing to illustrate the severity of coming days, where the absence of maternal duties and children to care for will be considered a mercy Luke 23:29.
- A Symbol of Majesty: In Revelation, its use shifts from a maternal context to one of divine authority. The image of the Son of man being girt about the paps with a golden girdle points to his high and honored status Revelation 1:13.
In summary, G3149 is a specific anatomical term that carries significant meaning despite its rare usage. It functions literally to express the blessing and burden of motherhood in the Gospels. Symbolically, it is used in Revelation to contribute to the majestic and authoritative depiction of the Son of man, showing how scripture can infuse a simple word with profound theological meaning.
TRV