Greek word · G1668

ἕλκος

helkos

sore

A wound, ulcer, or festering or suppurating sore (one that oozes). Greek medical writers use it for ulcers. In the New Testament it appears only here, in 16:11 ('their pains and their sores'), and in Luke 16:21 (Lazarus's sores, licked by dogs).

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἑλκος, -εος (-ους), τό

[in LXX: Exodus 9:9-11, Leviticus 13:18-27, 2 Kings 20:7, Job 2:7 (שְׁחִין) ;]

1. a wound (Hom.).

2. a sore, an ulcer (Thuc., al.): Luke 16:21, Revelation 16:2, 11.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 16:2

Range of meaning

A wound, ulcer, or festering or suppurating sore (one that oozes). Greek medical writers use it for ulcers. In the New Testament it appears only here, in 16:11 ('their pains and their sores'), and in Luke 16:21 (Lazarus's sores, licked by dogs).

Against the English

English versions vary: 'sore(s)', 'ugly, festering sores', 'loathsome, malignant sores'. All are reasonable. 'Boils' brings out the Exodus link best but sounds milder than an open ulcer.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament it translates Hebrew shechin, 'boil, inflamed sore'. This is the sixth Egyptian plague: 'it will become boils (helkē), blisters breaking out, on people and animals' (Exod 9:9–11). Deut 28:27 threatens covenant-breakers with 'the sore (helkos) of Egypt', and Deut 28:35 with 'a painful sore (helkei ponērō)' from sole to crown. Job 2:7: Satan struck Job 'with a painful sore (helkei ponērō)'.

From the study of Luke 16:21

Range of meaning

An ulcer or festering sore, an open wound. In the Greek Old Testament it often marks a sore sent as a judgment or affliction.

Against the English

'Sores' is accurate. 'Open sores' (NLT) or 'ulcers' gives a sharper picture of oozing wounds that draw animals.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament Exod 9:9–11 (the boils on Egypt); Deut 28:27, 35 ('the boil of Egypt', one of the covenant curses); Job 2:7, where Job is struck 'with a severe sore from his foot to his head' and sits in the ashes outside the town. Rev 16:2, 11.

From the study of Revelation 16:11

Range of meaning

An ulcer, abscess or festering sore. In medical and everyday Greek it is a wound that weeps or suppurates.

Against the English

'Sores' in all major versions is accurate. KJV's 'noisome and grievous sore' at 16:2 reflects the same word.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament it is the word for the boils of the sixth Egyptian plague (Exodus 9:9–11) and for Job's sores (Job 2:7). Deuteronomy 28:27, 35 threatens 'the boil of Egypt' as a covenant curse. In the New Testament it appears elsewhere only in Luke 16:21 (Lazarus's sores).

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 16:21 ἕλκη sores

    and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

    Here: Open, oozing ulcers. This picks up 'covered with sores' (heilkōmenos) from verse 20. The Greek Old Testament uses the same word for Job's sores and for the plague of boils on Egypt.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 16:2 ἕλκος a sore

    So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

    Here: An open or festering sore, an ulcer. It is singular but works as a collective: an outbreak of sores across the population. It is the Greek Old Testament's word for the 'boils' of the sixth Egyptian plague.

  2. Revelation 16:11 ἑλκῶν sores

    and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores. Yet they did not repent of their deeds.

    Here: The 'harmful and evil sores' of the first bowl (16:2). They are still there, so the plagues are piling up rather than replacing one another. The word recalls the boils of the Egyptian plague (Exodus 9:9–11 in the Greek Old Testament).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.