Greek word · G3572

νύσσω

nyssō

to pierce

To prick, jab, nudge, poke, or stab with something pointed. The force depends on the context: it can be a light poke or a fatal wound.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

νύσσω

(Att.. -ττω), [in LXX: Sirach 22:19, 3Ma.5:14 * ;]

to pierce: τ. πλευρὰν λόγχῃ, John 19:34, [Matthew 27:49], WH.†

(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 John 19:34

Range of meaning

To prick, jab, nudge, poke, or stab with something pointed. The force depends on the context: it can be a light poke or a fatal wound.

Against the English

Every major English version says 'pierced'. That is accurate, but it hides two things. The Greek verb can be lighter than 'pierce', and English uses the same word 'pierced' again in verse 37, where John uses a different Greek verb (ἐκκεντέω) taken from Zechariah 12:10.

How it drifted

No real drift in meaning. The problem is that English uses one word for two Greek verbs, so readers miss that John tells the event in ordinary language first and only then brings in the prophecy's wording.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Homer, νύσσω is used for spear and sword thrusts in battle (e.g. Iliad 5.579, 16.704). In later Greek it is also used for nudging someone awake. Some manuscripts of Acts 12:7 use a related form for the angel prodding Peter's side. Sirach 22:19 uses it for 'pricking' the eye or heart. BDAG gives 'prick, stab, pierce'.

Where it appears

John · 1

  1. John 19:34 ἔνυξεν, pierced,

    Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

    Here: A single completed act: he jabbed or stabbed. The verb can cover anything from a prod to a real spear wound. Here the wound was deep enough that Thomas could later be told to put his hand into it (20:27).

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