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χωλός

chōlós

G5560 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lame, disabled or impaired in the legs or feet such that normal walking is hindered; by extension, someone who limps or is physically incapacitated in movement. The term may also describe an object, animal, or group as being incomplete or impaired with regard to motion.

Semantic Range

lame (of persons, animals, or limbs), physically crippled or maimed, limping, walking with a limp; (rare) incomplete or impaired (of things), figuratively lacking or deficient

Root / Etymology

The origin is uncertain; χωλός is attested as a primary adjective in classical and later Greek, not transparently derived from other known Greek roots. It may be related to similar Indo-European roots denoting limping or being lame, but the Greek formation is not definitively explained.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature (e.g., Homer, Herodotus), χωλός primarily denotes physical lameness—an inability or incapacity to walk or run properly, often as a result of injury or congenital defect. This is its standard sense in Hellenistic, Septuagint, and New Testament writings. In the Septuagint, χωλός frequently translates Hebrew פסח (pissēaḥ), used of animals or humans unable to walk normally, especially in the context of ritual or sacrificial unfitness (e.g., Leviticus 21:18). In the New Testament, χωλός occurs in accounts of miraculous healings, designating individuals with mobility disabilities (e.g., Matthew 11:5; Acts 3:2, 8). English translations such as "lame" or "cripple" (the latter increasingly seen as pejorative in modern usage) convey the idea but may fail to capture the nuance that χωλός can refer to both permanent and temporary infirmity. The term does not imply a moral deficiency but describes a visible, physical limitation. Figurative extension (as in 'limping' faith or ritual deficiency) is rare but contextually possible, especially in metaphorical speech. There is no direct indication in NT or LXX usage that χωλός served as a social or religious category in the way modern disability categories might suggest; its use is descriptive rather than categorical. Comparatively, ἀνάπηρος, another NT term, more broadly includes any form of physical incapacity.

Translation Consistency

primary "lame" 14 occurrences

Most common and natural rendering in the SILEX examples; fits the adjective/substantive sense (a lame person/animal/thing). "Lame" covers the typical range (physically disabled, limping, impaired) without the harsher or less common connotations of "cripple," and keeps a straightforward, natural English usage for all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; "halt", i.e. limping:--cripple, halt, lame.

Root Family

χωλ- (chōlós) — lame, limping, unable to walk normally

Root χωλ- lame, limping, unable to walk normally

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5560-01 χωλοὶ choloi ADJ.S NOM M PL lame lame ones lame ones 4
G5560-02 χωλόν cholon ADJ.S ACC M SG lame a lame man a lame man 4
G5560-04 χωλούς cholous ADJ.S ACC M PL lame lame ones lame ones 4
G5560-03 χωλὸς cholos ADJ.P NOM M SG lame lame one lame one 2

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5560-01 Matthew 11:5 χωλοὶ choloi ADJ.S NOM M PL the lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-04 Matthew 15:30 χωλούς cholous ADJ.S ACC M PL lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-04 Matthew 15:31 χωλοὺς cholous ADJ.S ACC M PL lame ones lame ones lame ones
G5560-02 Matthew 18:8 χωλόν cholon ADJ.S ACC M SG lame a lame man a lame man
G5560-01 Matthew 21:14 χωλοὶ choloi ADJ.S NOM M PL lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-02 Mark 9:45 χωλὸν cholon ADJ.S ACC M SG lame a lame man a lame man
G5560-01 Luke 7:22 χωλοὶ choloi ADJ.S NOM M PL lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-04 Luke 14:13 χωλούς cholous ADJ.S ACC M PL the lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-04 Luke 14:21 χωλοὺς cholous ADJ.S ACC M PL lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-02 John 5:3 χωλῶν cholon ADJ.S GEN M PL halt a lame man a lame man
G5560-03 Acts 3:2 χωλὸς cholos ADJ.P NOM M SG lame lame one lame one
G5560-01 Acts 8:7 χωλοὶ choloi ADJ.S NOM M PL lame lame ones lame ones
G5560-03 Acts 14:8 χωλὸς cholos ADJ.P NOM M SG lame lame one lame one
G5560-02 Hebrews 12:13 χωλὸν cholon ADJ.S NOM N SG lame a lame man a lame man
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