from πυρέσσω; inflamed, i.e. (by implication) feverish (as noun, fever):--fever.
Transliteration:pyretós
Pronunciation:poo-ret-os'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G4446 (πυρετός, *pyretós*) denotes "fever." Its etymology traces back to the verb πυρέσσω (*pyressō*), meaning "to be feverish," which itself is derived from G4442 (πῦρ, *pyr*), meaning "fire." This etymological connection is crucial, as it vividly describes fever as an internal "burning" or "inflammation" within the body. In ancient medical understanding, fever was a prominent and often life-threatening symptom of various ailments, characterized by an abnormal elevation of body temperature. The term carries the literal sense of a physical malady, a state of being "on fire" internally, causing weakness and incapacitation. Its semantic range in the New Testament is consistently narrow, referring exclusively to this specific physical condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G4446 appears five times in the New Testament, always in the context of miraculous healing, highlighting Jesus's (and later Paul's) authority over physical illness.
1. **[[Matthew 8:14]] / [[Mark 1:30]] / [[Luke 4:38]]:** These synoptic accounts describe Jesus's healing of Simon Peter's mother-in-law. In Luke's account, perhaps reflecting his medical background, the severity of the condition is emphasized with the phrase "a great fever" (πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ). In all three narratives, Jesus approaches her, touches her hand (Matthew, Mark), or rebukes the fever (Luke), and immediately the fever leaves her. Her instant recovery is underscored by her ability to get up and serve them, demonstrating a complete and instantaneous restoration to health, not merely a gradual recovery. This immediate departure of the fever signifies divine power overriding natural processes.
2. **[[John 4:52]]:** Here, G4446 describes the illness of the royal official's son. The father inquires about the precise time the fever left his son, and his servants confirm it was "the seventh hour" (about 1 p.m.), the exact moment Jesus had spoken the word, "Go, your son will live" [[John 4:50]]. This account emphasizes the power of Jesus's word, effective even from a distance, and the precise, undeniable nature of the miraculous healing. The fever's departure is not a natural remission but a direct consequence of Jesus's authoritative command.
3. **[[Acts 28:8]]:** In this instance, Paul on the island of Malta encounters Publius's father, who was "lying sick with fever and dysentery." Paul enters, prays, lays his hands on him, and heals him. This demonstrates the continuation of Christ's healing ministry through His apostles, authenticating their message and demonstrating God's power working through them. Again, the healing is presented as immediate and complete, leading to the healing of many others on the island.
Across all occurrences, pyretós consistently denotes a severe and debilitating illness that is instantaneously and completely overcome by divine intervention, showcasing the supernatural power of Jesus and His delegated authority to His apostles.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of G4446 naturally connects to several related terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **G4442 (πῦρ, *pyr*):** "Fire." As the etymological root of pyretós, this word conceptually links fever to an internal "burning" or intense heat, providing a vivid image of the physical suffering involved.
* **G2577 (κλίνη, *klinē*):** "Bed." Those afflicted with fever were typically confined to a bed, as seen in the accounts of Peter's mother-in-law and Publius's father. This highlights the incapacitating nature of the illness.
* **G770 (ἀσθενέω, *astheneō*):** "To be weak, sick." This is a more general term for illness or weakness, of which fever is a specific manifestation. The healing of fever is an instance of overcoming astheneia.
* **G2560 (κάμνω, *kamnō*):** "To be weary, sick." Similar to astheneō, this term describes a state of being unwell, often associated with physical suffering.
* **Healing Miracles:** The occurrences of pyretós are integral parts of Jesus's broader ministry of healing miracles. These acts demonstrate His divine power, compassion, and authority over all forms of human suffering and the brokenness of the fallen world.
* **Authority Over Disease:** The immediate and complete departure of the fever, particularly when Jesus "rebukes" it as in Luke's account, emphasizes His authority not merely as a physician but as the Lord over the very forces of disease.
### Theological Significance
The encounters with G4446 (fever) in the New Testament carry profound theological significance:
1. **Demonstration of Divine Authority:** The instantaneous and complete healing of fever, often by a touch or a word, unequivocally demonstrates Jesus's absolute sovereignty over physical ailments. This is not a slow recovery by natural means but a direct, supernatural intervention that reverses the effects of illness, testifying to His divine nature and power.
2. **Compassion of Christ:** Jesus's willingness to engage with and heal those suffering from fever, often initiating the healing or responding to a plea, reveals His profound compassion for human suffering. He does not remain aloof but enters into the brokenness of humanity to bring relief and restoration.
3. **Signs of the Kingdom of God:** These healings are "signs" (σημεῖα) that authenticate Jesus's messianic claims and signify the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom, the effects of the Fall, including sickness and death, are being rolled back. The eradication of fever is a foretaste of the complete restoration and wholeness that the Kingdom brings.
4. **Restoration to Wholeness and Service:** The healing from fever is not merely the absence of illness but a restoration to full health and capacity, enabling the individual to resume normal life and even service (e.g., Peter's mother-in-law immediately serving). This points to the holistic nature of Christ's redemption, which impacts body, mind, and spirit.
5. **Apostolic Empowerment:** The healing of Publius's father by Paul in [[Acts 28:8]] demonstrates that Christ's healing power continued through His apostles, empowering their ministry and validating their proclamation of the Gospel. This signifies the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the early church to confirm the word with accompanying signs.
### Summary
The Greek word G4446 (πυρετός, *pyretós*) consistently refers to "fever" in the New Testament. Its etymological root in G4442 (πῦρ, *pyr*) vividly describes the internal "burning" of this debilitating condition. In every biblical occurrence, pyretós serves as a focal point for demonstrating the divine authority and compassionate power of Jesus Christ (and subsequently His apostle Paul) over physical illness. The immediate and complete eradication of fever, whether by a touch, a word, or a prayer, underscores the supernatural nature of these healings. Theologically, these instances testify to Christ's sovereignty over sickness, His profound compassion for humanity, and the powerful in-breaking of the Kingdom of God, offering a glimpse of the holistic restoration and wholeness available through Him.
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