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σκάνδαλον

skándalon

G4625 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A device or obstacle that triggers stumbling or fall, whether literally as a trap mechanism or, more often, metaphorically as a source of temptation, impediment, or cause of moral or spiritual failure. In extended usage, refers to anything that induces one to falter, sin, or reject a course of action.

Semantic Range

snare or trap mechanism; cause of stumbling; cause of falling (moral, spiritual, or physical); inducement or occasion for sin; obstacle to faith or adherence; source of shock or offense

Root / Etymology

Derived from a presumed diminutive or derivative of κάμπτω ('to bend'), alluding to a bent stick used as the trigger of a trap or snare; the root sense is of a mechanism causing entrapment or downfall.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκάνδαλον referred to the physical trigger of a trap, especially a bent stick that sets off a snare. In the Septuagint, it renders Hebrew terms for ‘stumbling block’ or sources of enticement into idolatry or error, already taking on metaphorical force. In Second Temple and New Testament contexts, the term became highly metaphorical, referring both to factors that provoke sin and to situations or teachings that become obstacles to faith, ethical behavior, or group cohesion. English translations have historically rendered it as 'offense,' 'stumbling block,' or, less commonly, 'scandal,' but these capture only part of its semantic range. The term does not necessarily imply intentional offense but may denote any factor that serves as a real or perceived moral or spiritual impediment. Contrasts with προσκόμμα ('a cause of stumbling') and πειρασμός ('temptation,' 'test'). The sense of 'scandal' is a Latinization via later Christian theological usage; this postdates NT usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "stumbling-block" 9 occurrences

σκάνδαλον is most commonly used as a noun meaning an obstacle that causes one to stumble or fall, especially in moral/spiritual contexts. ‘Stumbling-block’ is the natural, widely understood English equivalent that covers both literal traps/snare and metaphorical causes of sin or offense (it matches the SILEX range and the dominant P2 renderings). It keeps translations clear and idiomatic across all forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"stumbling snares" (4x) "stumbling snare" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

("scandal"); probably from a derivative of κάμπτω; a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin):--occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.

Root Family

σκάνδαλον (skandalon) — snare, trap trigger, cause of stumbling, inducement to fall

Root σκανδαλ- to trip, to ensnare, to cause to stumble

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4625-02 σκάνδαλον skandalon N NOM N SG stumbling block stumbling snare a stumbling-block 9
G4625-01 σκάνδαλα skandala N ACC N PL stumbling blocks stumbling snares stumbling snares 4
G4625-03 σκανδάλου skandalou N GEN N SG of offense of a stumbling snare of a stumbling snare 2

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4625-01 Matthew 13:41 σκάνδαλα skandala N ACC N PL things that cause sin stumbling snares stumbling snares
G4625-02 Matthew 16:23 σκάνδαλον skandalon N NOM N SG stumbling-block stumbling snare a stumbling-block
G4625-02 Matthew 18:7 σκανδάλων skandalon N GEN N PL stumbling blocks stumbling snare a stumbling-block
G4625-01 Matthew 18:7 σκάνδαλα skandala N ACC N PL stumbling blocks stumbling snares stumbling snares
G4625-02 Matthew 18:7 σκάνδαλον skandalon-2 N NOM N SG stumbling block stumbling snare a stumbling-block
G4625-01 Luke 17:1 σκάνδαλα skandala N ACC N PL stumbling blocks stumbling snares stumbling snares
G4625-03 Romans 9:33 σκανδάλου skandalou N GEN N SG of offense of a stumbling snare of a stumbling snare
G4625-02 Romans 11:9 σκάνδαλον skandalon N ACC N SG stumbling block stumbling snare a stumbling-block
G4625-02 Romans 14:13 σκάνδαλον skandalon N ACC N SG stumbling block stumbling snare a stumbling-block
G4625-01 Romans 16:17 σκάνδαλα skandala N ACC N PL offenses stumbling snares stumbling snares
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