ἔκτρωμα
éktrōma
G1626 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A child, fetus, or embryo produced by miscarriage; specifically, something born prematurely, either by spontaneous miscarriage, abortion, or untimely birth. The primary sense concerns that which is expelled from the womb before full development and vitality, typically not expected to survive. In extended or figurative contexts, refers to someone or something considered unexpectedly or inauspiciously born or produced, often with a connotation of abnormality, suddenness, or lack of readiness.
Semantic Range
miscarriage, abortion, premature birth, something born untimely, an untimely or abnormal occurrence, figuratively—someone appearing unexpectedly or with abnormal timing
Root / Etymology
From the compound of ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb τιτρώσκω ('to wound, to injure'), forming a noun meaning 'that which is violently expelled/out due to wounding or injury.' The formation parallels patterns for medical or biological terminology in Greek; compare the derived use of ἐκ+verbal noun in other contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἔκτρωμα refers medically to a miscarriage or an abortive birth—an embryo or fetus lost from the womb before reaching full term, whether by spontaneous miscarriage or induced abortion. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term is attested primarily in this medical/biological sense. In Paul’s usage in 1 Corinthians 15:8, it is employed figuratively in reference to his own apostolic calling, suggesting abnormality or unexpectedness, often translated as 'one untimely born.' The sense is always negatively marked—suggesting a lack of normal development, life, or expectation. English translations sometimes use 'abortion,' 'miscarriage,' or 'one born out of due time,' but these do not always preserve the pejorative or tragic nuance of the Greek. No positive or neutral metaphorical senses are attested in Koine Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a comparative of ἐκ and (to wound); a miscarriage (abortion), i.e. (by analogy) untimely birth:--born out of due time.
Root Family
ἔκτρωμα (ektrōma) — miscarriage, premature birth, forcibly expelled offspring, untimely birth
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1626-01 |
ἐκτρώματι | ektromati | N DAT N SG |
one untimely born | to a miscarried fetus | to a miscarried fetus | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1626-01 |
1 Corinthians 15:8 | ἐκτρώματι | ektromati | N DAT N SG |
one untimely born | to a miscarried fetus | to a miscarried fetus |