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μάστιξ

mástix

G3148 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A whip, lash, or instrument for beating; by extension, a physical affliction or severe suffering, especially one experienced as a form of punishment or calamity. In narrative and metaphorical contexts, refers to both literal implements of scourging and to severe diseases or calamities perceived as afflictions inflicted by higher powers or fate.

Semantic Range

whip, lash, scourge (instrument); act of whipping or scourging; severe affliction or calamity; painful disease; punitive suffering

Root / Etymology

The term μάστιξ likely derives from the Greek root μαστ- (possibly from an Indo-European base meaning 'to strike' or 'to whip'). It is not related etymologically to μαζός ('breast') despite phonetic similarity. Alternative etymology uncertain, but generally tied to the idea of striking or contact.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, μάστιξ primarily denotes a whip or scourge used to strike people or animals. It is attested in Homer and later writers for the literal instrument of beating, as well as metaphorically for instruments of punishment. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods (including the Septuagint), the word acquires a broader sense of affliction, disaster, or disease, especially those regarded as punishments or severe trials. The Septuagint uses μάστιξ to translate several Hebrew words associated with plagues or afflictions sent by God. In the New Testament, μάστιξ refers both to literal scourging (Acts 22:24) and to severe diseases or conditions (Mark 3:10; Luke 7:21), often emphasizing the suffering or punitive aspect. English translations sometimes present 'plague' or 'scourge,' but these may obscure the underlying connection to physical punishment and the metaphorical extension to severe sickness or calamity. The word is distinct from πληγή ('blow, stroke, plague') which focuses more on the single strike or sudden blow, not the instrument or ongoing condition.

Translation Consistency

primary "scourge" 4 occurrences

μάστιξ primarily denotes a whip or lash and commonly extends to punitive or calamital suffering. "Scourge" naturally covers both the literal instrument and the figurative sense of a severe affliction or plague, matching the SILEX range while remaining a familiar, translatable English headword for all forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"plagues" (1x) "affliction" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the base of μασσάομαι (through the idea of contact); a whip (literally, the Roman flagellum for criminals; figuratively, a disease):--plague, scourging.

Root Family

μαστ- (mástix) — to whip, to scourge, to afflict

Root μαστ- to whip, to scourge, to afflict
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3149 μαστός breasts

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3148-02 μαστίγων mastigon N GEN F PL floggings of scourges of scourges 2
G3148-03 μάστιγος mastigos N GEN F SG her affliction of a scourge affliction 2
G3148-01 μάστιγας mastigas N ACC F PL plagues scourges plagues 1
G3148-04 μάστιξιν mastixin N DAT F PL with scourges with scourges with scourges 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3148-01 Mark 3:10 μάστιγας mastigas N ACC F PL plagues scourges plagues
G3148-03 Mark 5:29 μάστιγος mastigos N GEN F SG her affliction of a scourge affliction
G3148-03 Mark 5:34 μάστιγός mastigos N GEN F SG plague of a scourge of a scourge
G3148-02 Luke 7:21 μαστίγων mastigon N GEN F PL plagues of scourges of scourges
G3148-04 Acts 22:24 μάστιξιν mastixin N DAT F PL with scourges with scourges with scourges
G3148-02 Hebrews 11:36 μαστίγων mastigon N GEN F PL floggings of scourges of scourges
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