σκύβαλον
skýbalon
G4657 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Waste material lacking value, especially what is discarded as refuse; primarily denotes what is thrown away, such as human or animal excrement, scraps, or general rubbish. In specific contexts, refers to excrement, dung, refuse, or any material regarded as worthless and discarded. The term can carry a strong sense of disgust or contempt for what is cast aside.
Semantic Range
refuse, rubbish, garbage, excrement, what is discarded, dung, metaphorically: anything considered worthless or contemptible
Root / Etymology
Likely from a compound of σκύτος (skin, hide) or σκύλλω (to flay) and βάλλω (to throw), or possibly related to κύων (dog) and βάλλω (to throw); 'what is thrown to the dogs.' The precise etymology is uncertain; ancient lexicographers sometimes associated it with waste given to dogs. The formation may be onomatopoeic or derived from roots referring to casting away or offal.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical Greek with the meaning of 'excrement' or 'dung,' but also more broadly as 'refuse' or 'garbage.' In philosophical or rhetorical Greek, σκύβαλον can describe anything contemptible, worthless, or a target of derision. In the New Testament (Philippians 3:8), Paul employs the term in a metaphorical sense to indicate things of no value — often translated in English as 'dung,' 'rubbish,' or 'refuse,' but these miss the word's full disparaging tone. Occurs rarely in the Septuagint and other Koine literature. The vulgar or coarse nuance of the word is sometimes softened in translation; its figurative use connotes worthlessness and abandonment. Related terms: κόπρος (dung, used for manure), ἀπόρριμμα (what is thrown away, refuse), both less vivid than σκύβαλον.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a presumed derivative of εἰς and κύων and βάλλω; what is thrown to the dogs, i.e. refuse (ordure):--dung.
Root Family
σκυβ- (skýbalon) — to throw away, to cast off, refuse
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4657-01 |
σκύβαλα | skubala | N ACC N PL |
rubbish | filthy refuse | filthy refuse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4657-01 |
Philippians 3:8 | σκύβαλα | skubala | N ACC N PL |
rubbish | filthy refuse | filthy refuse |