παχύνω (G3975) — Greek Lexicon

παχύνω

pachýnō

G3975 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make thick or fat, to become thickened or fattened; by extension, to render insensitive, unresponsive, or dull (especially in a figurative sense regarding perception or understanding). The primary sense concerns physical thickening or becoming obese, but metaphorically it indicates a state of dulled perception or moral insensitivity.

Semantic Range

to make thick, to fatten, to become obese; to cause dullness or insensitivity, to render unresponsive, to dull perception

Root / Etymology

From a derivative of the root πηγ- (πήγνυμι, meaning 'to make firm, to fix'), with the sense development from 'to thicken' to 'to make fat' and 'to become insensitive'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παχύνω primarily refers to making thick or fat (often used in medical or farming contexts). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term is used metaphorically, particularly for the heart (καρδία), to describe an insensitivity or dullness to understanding or perception. This figurative use draws from Hebrew idiom (e.g., Isaiah 6:10, where 'to make fat' the heart means to render it unresponsive), and the Greek rendering in LXX and NT (e.g., Matthew 13:15, Acts 28:27) adopts this meaning. English Bible translations often render this as 'become dull' or (following KJV tradition) 'wax gross,' but neither entirely conveys the original metaphor of thickening or fattening leading to lack of sensitivity or responsiveness. Later Greek usage continues the metaphorical sense in rhetorical and philosophical contexts for deeply ingrained unresponsiveness or obtuseness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of πήγνυμι (meaning thick); to thicken, i.e. (by implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous):--wax gross.

Root Family

παχύνω (pachýnō) — to thicken, to make fat, to render insensitive

Root παχ- to thicken, to make fat, to render insensitive

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3975-01`	ἐπαχύνθη	epachunthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	has become dull	was thickened	has become dull	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3975-01`	Matthew 13:15	ἐπαχύνθη	epachunthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	has become dull	was thickened	was thickened
`G3975-01`	Acts 28:27	ἐπαχύνθη	epachunthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	has become dull	was thickened	has become dull

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