ὗς
hŷs
G5300 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A domesticated pig, specifically the female (sow); in Greek usage, refers to a domesticated swine, with occasional reference to wild swine in later or figurative contexts. In literature and everyday life, denotes the animal in an agricultural, dietary, or ritual context, and sometimes metaphorically as a sign of filthiness or impurity.
Semantic Range
domesticated pig, sow (female pig), swine in general (male or female), wild swine (rare), symbol of uncleanness (figurative), term in dietary and ritual law contexts
Root / Etymology
Primary Greek word, not formed from a known Greek root or verb; possibly pre-Greek or of Indo-European origin, cognate with Latin 'sus,' Sanskrit 'sūkaraḥ.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ὗς is an ancient word attested in classical Greek (Iliad, Odyssey) and remains in widespread use through the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ὗς is most often associated with dietary laws prohibiting the consumption or presence of pigs, which were considered ritually unclean animals in Israelite/Judean society (see Leviticus 11:7; Isaiah 65:4; 2 Peter 2:22). By this period, 'swine'—both male and female—were primarily raised and consumed in Greco-Roman areas but avoided by Judeans. The New Testament may use the word literally (as in the Gadarene swine, Matthew 8:30-32) or metaphorically (as symbol of uncleanness or lack of discernment; cf. 'do not cast your pearls before swine,' Matthew 7:6). English Bible translations usually render the word as 'swine' or 'pig,' with 'sow' specifying the female in context. Classical Greek often uses separate terms for boar (κάπρος or ὗς ἄρσην) and for the young or wild swine.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently a primary word; a hog ("swine"):--sow.
Root Family
ὑς (hŷs) — pig, swine, domesticated hog
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5300-01 |
ὗς | us | N NOM F SG |
a sow | a sow | a sow | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5300-01 |
2 Peter 2:22 | ὗς | us | N NOM F SG |
a sow | a sow | a sow |