apparently from (to parch; through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank):--leg.
Transliteration:skélos
Pronunciation:skel'-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`) denotes the "leg," specifically the lower limb of a human or animal. Its etymological root is often traced to a concept of "parching" or "leanness," suggesting a potential nuance of a thin or dried-out limb. However, in its sole New Testament occurrence, this etymological nuance is not semantically active; the term functions as a straightforward anatomical designation for the leg. Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow and concrete, referring exclusively to this specific body part.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, but this single occurrence is profoundly significant within the narrative of Christ's crucifixion.
* **[[John 19:31-33]]**: "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs."
In this passage, "breaking the legs" (Latin: *crurifragium*) was a common Roman practice employed to hasten death for those crucified. By breaking the tibiae and fibulae, the condemned could no longer push themselves up to relieve pressure on their diaphragm, leading to rapid asphyxiation. The request from the Jewish leaders was to ensure the bodies were removed before the Sabbath, which was also a high holy day (Passover). The soldiers carried out this gruesome task for the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. However, upon reaching Jesus, they found Him already dead and therefore did not break His legs. This precise detail is highlighted by the evangelist as a direct fulfillment of prophecy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The significance of σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`) in its biblical context is illuminated by its connection to several key Old Testament prophecies and theological concepts:
* **Passover Lamb Typology**: The most prominent connection is to the regulations concerning the Passover lamb in the Old Testament. [[Exodus 12:46]] states, "neither shall ye break a bone thereof," a command reiterated in [[Numbers 9:12]]. John's Gospel frequently presents Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice atones for sin. The unbroken legs of Jesus directly parallel the unbroken bones of the sacrificial lamb, underscoring His identity as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice.
* **Messianic Prophecy**: The event also fulfills a specific messianic prophecy found in [[Psalm 34:20]]: "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken." This psalm speaks of the righteous one whom God preserves. The physical integrity of Jesus' body, even in death, is thus presented as a divine sign of His righteousness and messianic identity.
* **Crucifixion and Suffering**: While not a direct synonym, the concept of "leg" here is inextricably linked to the brutal reality of Roman crucifixion, a method of execution designed for maximum suffering and public humiliation. The act of breaking legs was a final, agonizing step in this process.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`) in [[John 19:31-33]] carries immense theological weight. The fact that Jesus' legs were not broken, unlike those of the criminals, is not a mere coincidental detail but a divinely orchestrated event.
1. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: It powerfully demonstrates the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. God's plan for the Messiah, revealed centuries earlier, was executed with precise detail, even in the midst of human actions. This reinforces the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture.
2. **Christ as the Passover Lamb**: The unbroken legs unequivocally identify Jesus as the true Passover Lamb. Just as the original Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken, symbolizing its perfection and the completeness of the sacrifice, so too Jesus' physical integrity on the cross signifies His perfection as the ultimate atoning sacrifice. His death was not a failure or an accident, but a preordained act of redemption.
3. **Sovereignty of God**: Even in the chaos and cruelty of the crucifixion, God's sovereign hand is evident. The soldiers' decision not to break Jesus' legs, based on their observation that He was already dead, was an unwitting act that served God's eternal purpose, preventing any human intervention from nullifying the prophetic word.
4. **Completeness of Sacrifice**: The unbroken body of Christ can also be seen as a symbol of the completeness and wholeness of His sacrifice. There was nothing lacking, nothing incomplete, in His atoning work on the cross.
### Summary
The Greek word σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`), meaning "leg," appears only once in the New Testament, in [[John 19:31-33]]. This singular occurrence, describing the Roman practice of breaking the legs of crucified individuals, is pivotal for understanding the theological significance of Jesus' death. The fact that Jesus' legs were *not* broken, in contrast to the criminals crucified with Him, directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's unbroken bones ([[Psalm 34:20]]) and powerfully identifies Him as the perfect Passover Lamb, whose bones were likewise not to be broken ([[Exodus 12:46]], [[Numbers 9:12]]). Thus, σκέλος (skélos, `{{G4628}}`), though a simple anatomical term, serves as a crucial detail in the biblical narrative, underscoring the divine orchestration of Christ's passion, the precision of prophecy fulfillment, and the profound theological identity of Jesus as the complete and unblemished sacrifice for humanity's redemption.
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