### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **pyréssō**, represented by `{{G4445}}`, comes from a root meaning "to be on fire" and is used specifically to describe having a fever. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Its use is highly specific, denoting the physical ailment of a high temperature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G4445}}` is used exclusively in the accounts of Jesus healing Simon Peter's mother-in-law. In Matthew's gospel, upon entering Peter's house, Jesus saw his wife's mother "laid, and **sick of a fever**" [[Matthew 8:14]]. Mark's account presents a parallel scene where Simon's wife's mother "lay **sick of a fever**," and Jesus was immediately told about her condition [[Mark 1:30]]. In both instances, the word describes the illness that precedes a miraculous healing.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the scenes involving `{{G4445}}`:
* `{{G2621}}` **katákeimai** (to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick): This word is used in Mark's account to describe how the sick woman **lay** with a fever, indicating her state of incapacitation [[Mark 1:30]].
* `{{G3994}}` **pentherá** (a wife's mother): This term identifies the specific person afflicted with the fever in both gospels, clarifying her relationship to Simon Peter as his **wife's mother** ([[Matthew 8:14]], [[Mark 1:30]]).
* `{{G906}}` **bállō** (to throw...lay, lie): In Matthew's telling, this word is used to describe how Peter's mother-in-law was **laid** down by her illness, emphasizing her passive and helpless state [[Matthew 8:14]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{G4445}}` is found in its narrative function as a catalyst for divine intervention.
* **Context for Healing:** The state of being "sick of a fever" establishes the specific physical ailment that Jesus immediately addresses, demonstrating His authority over sickness.
* **Occasion for Ministry:** The presence of the fever prompts those with Jesus to inform him of the need, setting the stage for his miraculous work [[Mark 1:30]]. The illness is not just a detail but the very reason for the subsequent healing.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4445}}` is a precise term used to describe a fever. Its biblical usage is confined to the singular event of the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. While limited in scope, its importance lies in its ability to clearly define the physical problem that Jesus remedies, providing a straightforward and powerful illustration of his authority over the natural course of illness.
TRV