ultimately from πούς; a shackle for the feet:--fetter.
Transliteration:pédē
Pronunciation:ped'-ay
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πέδη (pédē), transliterated as *pédē*, refers to a "fetter" or "shackle" specifically designed for the feet. Its etymological root is derived from πούς (poús), meaning "foot" (cf. `{{G4228}}`), which underscores its precise application as a device for restraining movement by binding the lower extremities. The core meaning, therefore, is one of physical restraint, imprisonment, or incapacitation. It denotes a heavy, often metal, chain or bond used to secure a person's feet, preventing escape or free movement. The semantic range is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on this literal implement of physical control.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πέδη (pédē) appears in the New Testament in two parallel passages, both describing the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes/Gadarenes:
* **[[Mark 5:4]]**: "For he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. And no one had the strength to subdue him." Here, πέδη (pédē) is translated as "shackles" or "fetters," used in conjunction with ἅλυσις (halysis - "chains"). The passage emphasizes the extraordinary, supernatural strength of the demon-possessed man, who repeatedly broke these human-made restraints. The futility of human attempts to control or subdue him through physical means is highlighted.
* **[[Luke 8:29]]**: "For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For it had often seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)" Luke's account provides a nearly identical description, reinforcing the picture of a man utterly beyond human control, with the fetters proving ineffective against the demonic power within him.
In both contexts, πέδη (pédē) serves to underscore the profound and terrifying nature of demonic oppression, which renders all human efforts at physical containment utterly useless. The breaking of the fetters sets the stage for the dramatic intervention of Jesus, whose divine authority alone can truly liberate the man from his bondage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of binding and restraint is central to the biblical narrative, and πέδη (pédē) is one specific term within a broader semantic field.
* **δέσμος (desmos)** `{{G1199}}`: A more general term for a "bond" or "chain," often used metaphorically for imprisonment or spiritual bondage (e.g., [[Acts 20:23]], [[Philippians 1:7]]).
* **ἅλυσις (halysis)** `{{G254}}`: A "chain," often referring to a literal chain for binding hands or the neck, but also used more generally (e.g., [[Acts 12:7]], [[Ephesians 6:20]]). It appears alongside πέδη (pédē) in [[Mark 5:4]] and [[Luke 8:29]].
* **δέω (deō)** `{{G1210}}`: The verb "to bind" or "to tie," which describes the action of applying fetters or chains (e.g., [[Matthew 16:19]], [[Acts 22:29]]).
* **Concepts of Bondage and Freedom:** The literal meaning of πέδη (pédē) naturally evokes the broader themes of captivity, imprisonment, and spiritual bondage to sin or evil. Conversely, it highlights the concept of liberation and freedom, particularly the spiritual freedom offered through Christ. In the Old Testament, similar concepts are conveyed by words like אָסִיר (ʾasîr - "prisoner," "bound one") `{{H631}}` or זִיקִים (zîqîm - "chains," "fetters") `{{H2131}}`.
### Theological Significance
While πέδη (pédē) appears only twice and in a literal sense, its theological significance is profound due to its context.
1. **Human Impotence vs. Divine Power:** The repeated failure of human beings to restrain the demon-possessed man with fetters highlights the limits of human strength and ingenuity in the face of supernatural evil. This serves as a stark contrast to the effortless authority with which Jesus commands the demonic spirits to depart. The breaking of the fetters symbolizes the inability of any earthly power to contain that which is beyond its realm, setting the stage for the demonstration of Christ's unparalleled divine power.
2. **Deliverance from Bondage:** The literal liberation of the man from physical fetters (which he broke) and, more importantly, from demonic spiritual bondage by Christ, serves as a powerful metaphor for the broader salvation offered by Jesus. Humanity, in its fallen state, is often depicted as being in bondage to sin, death, and spiritual forces (cf. [[Romans 6:6]], [[John 8:34]], [[Colossians 1:13]]). The breaking of the fetters by the man, followed by his ultimate deliverance by Christ, foreshadows the freedom that Christ brings from all forms of spiritual and physical captivity.
3. **The Authority of Christ:** The narrative surrounding the Gerasene demoniac underscores Jesus' absolute authority over all creation, including demonic powers. The inability of πέδη (pédē) to contain the man emphasizes the magnitude of the problem, making Christ's subsequent act of deliverance even more glorious and indicative of His divine nature.
### Summary
The Greek word πέδη (pédē) refers specifically to a "fetter" or "shackle for the feet," a device for physical restraint. Its limited occurrences in [[Mark 5:4]] and [[Luke 8:29]] are highly significant. In these passages, the repeated breaking of πέδη (pédē) by the demon-possessed man underscores the futility of human efforts to contain supernatural evil. This serves as a dramatic backdrop for the demonstration of Jesus Christ's supreme authority, highlighting His unique power to deliver from all forms of bondage—both literal and spiritual. Thus, πέδη (pédē), though a simple term for a physical object, becomes a powerful symbol of human limitation contrasted with divine liberation.
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