πτύσσω
ptýssō
G4428 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To fold or roll up, especially to furl or close a scroll, with the primary sense of bringing something extended into a compact or closed form. The term denotes the physical act of folding over or rolling up an object, most commonly a roll or scroll, but can extend to any action involving folding or contracting.
Semantic Range
to fold, to roll up (a scroll or other object), to close by folding or contraction, to furl, to collapse (figuratively, as in cosmic or apocalyptic imagery)
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root πτυ- (meaning to fold), possibly related to πτύον (fan, winnowing shovel, i.e., something folded or scooped) and potentially cognate with πετάννυμι (to spread out); relationship to πέτομαι (to fly) is suggested but not certain. Related forms such as πτυχή (fold) share the semantic field. Exact etymology uncertain beyond the Indo-European root meaning 'to fold' or 'to spread.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested rarely and primarily in later, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, πτύσσω occurs most notably in the context of closing or rolling up a scroll (e.g., in the Septuagint and New Testament). Classical authors predominantly use derivative forms such as πτυχή for 'fold' or 'layer.' The sense in the New Testament (e.g., Revelation 6:14, 'the heavens were split apart like a scroll being rolled up') refers to the visual image of the sky being folded or closed as a scroll. In non-biblical Koine Greek, usage may be broader but is exceedingly rare. English translations usually render 'to close' or 'to roll up' when referring to scrolls, but the original Greek emphasizes the act of folding or contracting something originally spread out. Other Greek terms such as δερματίνη βίβλος (leather scroll) are often the object, highlighting the distinctive materiality intended by the verb πτύσσω compared to general terms like κλείω (to shut, close).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably akin to (to spread; and thus apparently allied to πέτομαι through the idea of expansion, and to 4429 through that of flattening; compare πατέω); to fold, i.e. furl a scroll:--close.
Root Family
πτυ- (ptýssō) — to fold, to roll up, to contract
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4429 | πτύω | he spat |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4428-01 |
πτύξας | ptuxas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having rolled up | having folded up | having rolled up | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4428-01 |
Luke 4:20 | πτύξας | ptuxas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having rolled up | having folded up | having rolled up |