Greek word · G3074

λύκος

lykos

wolf

'Wolf', the main predator of sheep in Palestine. In metaphor it stands for violent, predatory people, especially leaders who devour those they should protect.

Appears 6 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

λύκος, -ου, ὁ

[in LXX for זְאֵב ;]

a wolf: Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3, John 10:12; figuratively (as Ezekiel 22:27, Zephaniah 3:3, Jeremiah 5:6, al.), Matthew 7:1, Acts 20:29.†

(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 Matthew 7:15

Range of meaning

'Wolf', the main predator of sheep in Palestine. In metaphor it stands for violent, predatory people, especially leaders who devour those they should protect.

Against the English

No real difference. 'Wolves' is right everywhere.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezek 22:27: Jerusalem's princes are 'like wolves tearing prey, shedding blood… to get dishonest gain'. Zeph 3:3: her judges are 'evening wolves'. Gen 49:27 (LXX): 'Benjamin is a snatching wolf (λύκος ἅρπαξ)', the same pair of words as here. New Testament: Matt 10:16 (disciples as sheep among wolves); John 10:12 (the wolf snatches, ἁρπάζει); Acts 20:29 (Paul warns that 'savage wolves' will come in among the flock after he leaves).

From the study of John 10:12

Range of meaning

The wolf, the main predator of flocks in the Levant. In Scripture it is also a picture of fierce, predatory people.

Against the English

All versions have 'wolf'. The only translation question is whether the article should be kept, as 'the wolf' (the known enemy), or turned into 'a wolf' (NLT).

Used elsewhere in the period

Wolves hunting at dusk (Jer 5:6; Hab 1:8; Zeph 3:3, where 'her judges are evening wolves'). Rulers 'like wolves tearing prey' (Ezek 22:27). Wolf and lamb at peace as a sign of the messianic age (Isa 11:6; 65:25). In 1 Enoch's Animal Apocalypse (ch. 89) Israel's Egyptian oppressors are wolves. In the NT: false prophets as 'ravenous wolves' (Matt 7:15), 'sheep among wolves' (Matt 10:16), and 'savage wolves' after Paul's departure (Acts 20:29).

From the study of Matthew 10:16

Range of meaning

Wolf. As an image: a predator, a violent and greedy person, especially a leader who preys on the people in his care.

Against the English

English 'wolves' carries the image well. The thing a modern reader may miss is that in the prophets, wolves were usually Israel's own corrupt leaders rather than foreigners.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezekiel 22:27: 'her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing prey'. Zephaniah 3:3: 'her judges are evening wolves'. Jeremiah 5:6. In 1 Enoch's Animal Apocalypse (chapters 89–90), the Egyptians who oppress Israel's 'sheep' are wolves. Psalms of Solomon 8:23 calls the devout 'innocent lambs' among the wicked. Elsewhere in Matthew, false prophets are 'ravenous wolves' (7:15). Isaiah's future peace has the wolf living with the lamb (11:6; 65:25).

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 7:15 λύκοι wolves

    Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

    Here: The flock's natural enemy, and in Israel's Scriptures a stock image for leaders who prey on God's people (Ezek 22:27; Zeph 3:3).

  2. Matthew 10:16 λύκων· of wolves;

    Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

    Here: Predators that tear sheep apart. In the prophets, wolves stand for violent rulers inside Israel (Ezekiel 22:27; Zephaniah 3:3). Verse 17 explains that these wolves are 'men' who will hand the disciples over and flog them.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 10:3 λύκων. of wolves.

    Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

    Here: Wolves were the classic predator of flocks in the hill country of Israel. In Scripture they stand for violent people who prey on the weak (Ezek 22:27; Zeph 3:3). Here they are the hostile people the messengers will meet, the towns that reject them (vv. 10–16).

John · 2

  1. John 10:12 λύκον λύκος wolf

    The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.

    Here: A real predator in ancient Palestine, and in Scripture a long-standing picture of violent people who prey on God's people.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 20:29 λύκοι wolves

    I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

    Here: The natural enemy of sheep, and in Israel's Scriptures and Jesus' teaching a stock picture of destructive leaders and false prophets who feed on God's people.

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