Greek word · G4435

πυγμή

pygmē

fist

Basic meaning: a fist, or a blow with the fist. It is the word behind "pugilist" (boxer), and in classical Greek it often means boxing. As a measure it could mean a fistful. In Mark 7:3 it is used in the dative case, the Greek form for "with" or "by means of": "with a fist".

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ

[in LXX: Exodus 21:18, Isaiah 58:4 (אֶגְרֹף) * ;]

the fist: πυγμῇ νίψασθαι τ. χῖρας (Τ, πυκνά; Vg., Goth., Copt., crebro), to wash the hands with the fist (diligently, R, txt.; up to the elbow, R, mg.; the exact meaning is doubtful; see Swete, in l): Mark 7:3.†

(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 Mark 7:3

Range of meaning: Basic meaning: a fist, or a blow with the fist. It is the word behind "pugilist" (boxer), and in classical Greek it often means boxing. As a measure it could mean a fistful. In Mark 7:3 it is used in the dative case, the Greek form for "with" or "by means of": "with a fist".
Against the English: English versions scatter: KJV "oft", NASB "carefully", WEB "hands and forearms", YLT "to the wrist". BSB, NIV and others simply say "ceremonially" or leave the word out. ESV keeps "wash their hands" and explains "with a fist" in a footnote. No English rendering is certain.
How it drifted: This is not drift so much as an unsolved puzzle. Ancient copyists already struggled with it: some changed it to πυκνά, "often", which explains the Vulgate's crebro and KJV's "oft". The KJV margin offered "diligently", "with the fist", and (from the Byzantine commentator Theophylact) "up to the elbow".
Used elsewhere in the period: The word is common in Greek for boxing and fists, but no other ancient text uses it of washing. Later rabbinic rules for handwashing (Mishnah, tractate Yadayim, c. 200 CE) require a set minimum amount of water poured over the hands and discuss how far up the hand it must reach. Some scholars connect πυγμή to these details. A full survey of proposals is in M. Hengel, "Mc 7,3 πυγμῇ", ZNW 60 (1969).

Where it appears

Mark · 1

Mark 7:3 πυγμῇ with a fist

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.

Here: Literally "with a fist". This is the hardest word in the verse. It most likely describes a particular way of performing the rite, such as a cupped or closed hand, a fistful of water, or washing up to the wrist. It is not an ordinary word for "thoroughly".

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