σκῦλον
skŷlon
G4661 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Object taken by force during conquest or war; specifically, goods, valuables, or materials stripped from an enemy after victory (i.e., war loot, spoils). In broader contexts, refers to anything seized or taken from an opponent. The primary lexical meaning is 'spoils of war,' with possible extension to describe the act or result of stripping an enemy of possessions or armor.
Semantic Range
spoils of war, booty, plunder, property or armor taken from defeated enemies, trophies captured in conflict, object seized as a result of conquest
Root / Etymology
From the verb σκύλλω ('to skin, flay, strip, tear'), reflecting the physical act of stripping away. The noun σκῦλον arises as the neuter form denoting 'that which has been stripped off.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, σκῦλον commonly referred to the armor, weapons, or possessions taken from a fallen enemy on the battlefield. The term is connected to the ritual or symbolic practice of taking and displaying the armor of defeated foes, often as trophies or dedications. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the meaning broadened to 'spoils' or 'booty' in general, encompassing all valuables seized in conflict or conquest. The word is rare in the New Testament but continues to be understood in military and metaphorical contexts. English translations often use 'spoil,' 'booty,' or 'plunder,' but these do not always convey the original emphasis on stripping or removing the goods from the defeated. See contrast with λάφυρον, which also means 'spoils' but distinct in form and some nuances of usage; σκῦλον commonly emphasizes the act of taking after a battle, sometimes specifically the arms and armor. The imagery of stripping persists in its formation from σκύλλω. Not to be confused with the term σκῦλα, which occasionally appears in later sources with a similar but not identical meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter from σκύλλω; something stripped (as a hide), i.e. booty:--spoil.
Root Family
σκῦλον (skylon) — spoils of war, booty, plunder, that which is stripped off
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4661-01 |
σκῦλα | skula | N ACC N PL |
plunder | war spoils | war spoils | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4661-01 |
Luke 11:22 | σκῦλα | skula | N ACC N PL |
plunder | war spoils | war spoils |