from the base of ἵστημι; a head of grain (as standing out from the stalk):--ear (of corn).
Transliteration:stáchys
Pronunciation:stakh'-oos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word στάχυς (stáchys), Strong's number `{{G4719}}`, refers to a "head of grain" or "ear of corn." Its etymological root is significant, stemming from the base of ἵστημι (histēmi), meaning "to stand" or "to cause to stand" (cf. `{{G2476}}`). This derivation underscores the visual characteristic of stáchys: it is the part of the plant that stands erect, prominently bearing the seeds. The word specifically denotes the fruiting spike of cereal plants, such as wheat or barley, which contains the kernels. Its semantic range is primarily literal, referring to this tangible agricultural product. There is no clear evidence of a broad metaphorical usage in the New Testament beyond its direct meaning as a source of sustenance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term στάχυς (stáchys) appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in the parallel accounts of Jesus' disciples plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. These occurrences are found in:
* [[Matthew 12:1]]: "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them."
* [[Mark 2:23]]: "And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain."
* [[Luke 6:1]]: "Now it happened that on a Sabbath He was passing through some grainfields; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain and eating them, rubbing them in their hands."
In all three instances, the stáchys serves as the immediate object of the disciples' action, driven by hunger. This simple act of gathering sustenance from a field, while permissible under Old Testament law for the hungry (Deuteronomy 23:25), became a point of contention with the Pharisees due to their strict interpretation of Sabbath work. The stáchys, therefore, is not merely a botanical term but a central element in a critical theological and ethical debate regarding the spirit versus the letter of the law. Its presence highlights the disciples' human need and the context of everyday life in an agrarian society.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of στάχυς (stáchys) is enriched by its relationship to several other biblical terms and concepts:
* **ἵστημι (histēmi) `{{G2476}}`:** As its root, this verb emphasizes the upright, standing nature of the grain head, connecting it to stability and the completion of growth.
* **σῖτος (sitos) `{{G4621}}`:** A more general term for grain or wheat, stáchys is a specific part of sitos.
* **ἀγρός (agros) `{{G68}}`:** Refers to a field or cultivated land, the natural environment where stáchys would be found.
* **θερισμός (therismos) `{{G2326}}`:** Denotes the harvest, the broader agricultural activity of which plucking stáchys is a small part.
* **Sabbath:** The primary conceptual link, as the plucking of stáchys directly triggers the Sabbath controversy, bringing into focus discussions on divine law, human need, and mercy.
* **Provision/Sustenance:** The stáchys represents a basic form of food, connecting to themes of God's provision for His people and the simple necessities of life.
* **Harvest Imagery:** While stáchys itself is not used metaphorically for spiritual harvest in the New Testament, its association with grain fields naturally evokes the broader biblical imagery of harvest as a metaphor for divine judgment, evangelism, or the ingathering of believers.
### Theological Significance
Though στάχυς (stáchys) appears in only a limited context, its theological significance is profound due to its role in the Sabbath narrative:
1. **Divine Provision:** The presence of stáchys in the fields, available for the hungry, subtly underscores God's general provision for humanity through creation. It is a simple, readily available sustenance, echoing the broader biblical theme of God's care for His people (e.g., manna in the wilderness).
2. **The Lordship of the Sabbath:** The central theological point of the Synoptic accounts is Jesus' declaration that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" ([[Mark 2:27]]) and that "the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" ([[Matthew 12:8]]). The stáchys acts as the concrete object around which this pivotal teaching unfolds. It demonstrates that human need and compassion take precedence over rigid legalistic interpretations of the law. The disciples' hunger, satisfied by the stáchys, becomes a catalyst for revealing the true spirit of the Sabbath as a day of rest and blessing, not burden.
3. **Humanity and Law:** The incident highlights the tension between human necessity and religious observance. The stáchys, as a symbol of basic sustenance, grounds the theological discussion in the realities of human life, compelling a deeper understanding of God's law as life-giving and compassionate.
4. **Symbol of Growth and Fruitfulness:** While not explicitly used metaphorically in these passages, the stáchys inherently represents the culmination of growth and the bearing of fruit. This resonates with broader biblical themes of spiritual fruitfulness, the natural progression of God's work, and the bounty of His creation.
### Summary
The Greek word στάχυς (stáchys) refers to a "head of grain," deriving from the verb "to stand," emphasizing its upright position on the stalk. Its New Testament occurrences are confined to the Synoptic Gospels, where it consistently denotes the grain plucked by Jesus' disciples on the Sabbath due to hunger. This seemingly simple act, involving the stáchys, becomes the pivotal point for Jesus' profound teaching on the true purpose of the Sabbath, asserting that human need and the Lordship of the Son of Man supersede rigid legalism. Thus, stáchys stands as a humble yet potent symbol of divine provision, the intersection of human necessity and divine law, and the compassionate heart of God's kingdom.
TRV