### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀπολείχω (apoleíchō), `{{G621}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo), meaning "from," "off," or "away from," and the verb λείχω (leíchō), meaning "to lick." The prefix ἀπό in this context serves to intensify the action or indicate completion, leading to the core meaning of "to lick clean" or "to lick off." The semantic range of ἀπολείχω is quite narrow, referring specifically to the physical act of licking with the implication of removing something from a surface, often with a cleansing or consuming effect. Unlike its simpler root λείχω, the compound form emphasizes the thoroughness or the direction of the licking action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἀπολείχω (apoleíchō), `{{G621}}`, appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 16:21]]**: "and desiring to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores."
In this solitary occurrence, ἀπολείχω vividly describes the plight of Lazarus in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, destitute and full of sores, lies at the rich man's gate. The imagery of dogs coming to "lick his sores" is profoundly impactful. This detail underscores the extreme destitution and suffering of Lazarus. Dogs in ancient Near Eastern culture were often viewed as scavengers or unclean animals. Their action, while perhaps a form of primitive care or instinctive response to the wounds, also highlights the complete neglect Lazarus experiences from human society, particularly from the rich man. The dogs, often despised, provide a form of attention that the wealthy man withholds, setting a stark contrast that foreshadows the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife. The act of licking implies a thoroughness, perhaps removing pus or blood, which, while not a cure, is a form of interaction with his suffering that no human offers.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ἀπολείχω (apoleíchō), `{{G621}}`, is unique in its New Testament usage, understanding its components and related concepts enriches its study:
* **λείχω (leíchō)**: The root verb for "to lick," though not found independently in the New Testament, is the foundation for ἀπολείχω. Its existence confirms the basic action of licking.
* **κύων (kyōn), `{{G2965}}`**: The Greek word for "dog," which is the subject of the action in [[Luke 16:21]]. The cultural perception of dogs is crucial for understanding the significance of their interaction with Lazarus.
* **ἕλκος (helkos), `{{G1668}}`**: The Greek word for "sore" or "ulcer," the object being licked. This word emphasizes the severity of Lazarus's physical affliction.
* **Concepts of Care and Neglect**: The passage implicitly contrasts the lack of human care for Lazarus with the instinctive (and perhaps ambiguous) attention from the dogs. This connects to broader biblical themes of compassion, social justice, and the treatment of the poor and marginalized.
* **Ritual Purity**: In Jewish law, dogs were often considered unclean. The detail of them licking Lazarus's sores might further emphasize his abject state, potentially rendering him ritually impure, yet it also highlights the raw, unfiltered reality of his suffering.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ἀπολείχω (apoleíchō), `{{G621}}`, in [[Luke 16:21]] carries immense theological weight within the parable. It serves as a powerful visual detail that amplifies the parable's central message about compassion, wealth, and the eternal consequences of earthly choices.
1. **Extreme Suffering and Humiliation**: The image of dogs licking Lazarus's sores paints a stark picture of his profound suffering, destitution, and social humiliation. It signifies a level of neglect so severe that only animals attend to his wounds, highlighting the rich man's callous indifference.
2. **Inversion of Status**: The dogs, often considered lowly, provide a rudimentary form of care that the rich man, elevated in society, fails to offer. This detail contributes to the parable's theme of the inversion of status in the afterlife, where the neglected poor are exalted and the uncompassionate rich are condemned.
3. **Indictment of Indifference**: The dogs' action, whether seen as compassionate or merely instinctive, serves as a silent but potent indictment of the rich man's moral blindness. He is so consumed by his own luxury that he overlooks the suffering at his very gate, failing to see the image of God in the afflicted. The dogs, by contrast, "see" Lazarus's need and respond in their own way.
4. **Divine Justice**: The detail contributes to the overall narrative of divine justice. The rich man's failure to respond to Lazarus's physical needs, even to the extent of the dogs' rudimentary attention, becomes a key justification for his eternal torment. It underscores that true righteousness involves active compassion towards the vulnerable.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀπολείχω (apoleíchō), `{{G621}}`, meaning "to lick clean" or "to lick off," is a rare but profoundly significant word in the New Testament, appearing only once in [[Luke 16:21]]. Its solitary occurrence in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus powerfully depicts the extreme suffering and neglect of Lazarus, whose sores are licked by dogs. This vivid detail underscores Lazarus's abject destitution and the rich man's utter lack of compassion. The action of the dogs, whether interpreted as a basic form of care or simply an instinctive response to wounds, serves as a stark indictment of human indifference and contributes significantly to the parable's theological message concerning social justice, the inversion of earthly fortunes, and the eternal consequences of neglecting the poor and suffering.
TRV