πρόσκομμα
próskomma
G4348 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cause of stumbling, an obstacle in the way (literally or figuratively); that which causes another to trip or fall. In figurative contexts, especially in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian usage, refers to something or someone that becomes a source of spiritual or moral difficulty, a temptation, or an occasion for failing in faithfulness or loyalty.
Semantic Range
an obstacle or impediment (literal); a cause for stumbling (figurative); a moral or spiritual stumbling block; an occasion for offense or apostasy; something that leads to error or sin
Root / Etymology
From προσκόπτω ('to strike against, to stumble against'); composed of πρός ('toward, against') + κόπτω ('to strike, to cut').
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term πρόσκομμα appears infrequently in classical Greek, where it usually denotes a literal obstacle or something that causes one to trip physically. In the Septuagint, πρόσκομμα is occasionally used to translate Hebrew terms referring to stumbling blocks or obstacles (e.g., in discussions of idolatry or sin that causes others to err). In the New Testament, πρόσκομμα most often carries a metaphorical sense—a moral or spiritual impediment that leads one to falter or sin (see Romans 9:32-33; 14:13, 20; 1 Corinthians 8:9). Standard English translations often render this as 'offense,' 'stumbling block,' or 'cause for falling,' but these may obscure the nuanced sense of social, ethical, or faith-based entrapment within the original context. The related verb προσκόπτω (to strike against, to stumble) underlines the active impact of such an impediment, which can be circumstantial, behavioral, or even a person. The concept aligns with broader Jewish and Greco-Roman notions of things that hinder or endanger the moral/spiritual path, but in biblical contexts it is closely tied to avoiding actions that mislead or endanger fellow members of the faith community.
Translation Consistency
πρόσκομμα typically denotes a cause of stumbling or an obstacle, literal or figurative. “Stumbling block” is the natural, widely used English equivalent (captures both physical impediment and moral/spiritual cause of falling), matches how the term appears in most English Bibles, and preserves the term’s primary sense across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from προσκόπτω; a stub, i.e. (figuratively) occasion of apostasy:--offence, stumbling(-block, (-stone)).
Root Family
πρόσκομμα (proskomma) — stumbling, striking against, obstacle, cause of tripping
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4348-02 |
προσκόμματος | proskommatos | N GEN N SG |
of stumbling | of a stumbling block | of a stumbling block | 4 |
G4348-01 |
πρόσκομμα | proskomma | N ACC N SG |
obstacle | a stumbling obstacle | a stumbling block | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4348-02 |
Romans 9:32 | προσκόμματος | proskommatos | N GEN N SG |
stumbling | of a stumbling block | of a stumbling block |
G4348-02 |
Romans 9:33 | προσκόμματος | proskommatos | N GEN N SG |
of stumbling | of a stumbling block | of a stumbling block |
G4348-01 |
Romans 14:13 | πρόσκομμα | proskomma | N ACC N SG |
obstacle | a stumbling obstacle | a stumbling block |
G4348-02 |
Romans 14:20 | προσκόμματος | proskommatos | N GEN N SG |
stumbling block | of a stumbling block | of a stumbling block |
G4348-01 |
1 Corinthians 8:9 | πρόσκομμα | proskomma | N NOM N SG |
stumbling block | a stumbling obstacle | a stumbling block |
G4348-02 |
1 Peter 2:8 | προσκόμματος | proskommatos | N GEN N SG |
of stumbling | of a stumbling block | of a stumbling block |