κυλλός (G2948) — Greek Lexicon

κυλλός

kyllós

G2948 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having limb impairment; primarily, unable to use a limb normally (such as a hand or foot) due to deformity, injury, or congenital condition. In specific contexts, refers to one whose hand or foot is withered, crippled, or otherwise physically disabled. May indicate missing, twisted, or incapacitated joints or limbs.

Semantic Range

lame in hand or foot, crippled, withered limb, deformed limb, disabled in extremity, maimed

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root κυλ- related to 'rolling' or 'circular movement,' possibly referencing an abnormal or rolling gait caused by limb impairment. Exact etymology is debated; may be related to κυλλοποδία ('club-footedness').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek usage, κυλλός described physical conditions such as lameness, a withered hand, foot, or other visible impairment of a limb, often resulting in an abnormal gait. The root suggests a connection with circular or rolling motion, perhaps alluding metaphorically to the uneven or awkward movement of the afflicted individual. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it generally denotes persons with significant visible disability in extremities (hands or feet; see e.g., Matthew 15:30-31). English translations often generalize as 'maimed' or 'crippled,' but the term specifically refers to permanent or congenital disfigurement or paralysis of limbs, not to generalized injury or temporary incapacity. There is no inherent moral or ritual connotation in the term itself; rather, it describes a physical condition with social implications for ritual participation in ancient Mediterranean societies.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as κυλιόω; rocking about, i.e. crippled (maimed, in feet or hands):--maimed.

Root Family

κυλλός (kyllos) — limb-impaired, crippled, maimed in extremity

Root κυλ- to roll, to move in a circle

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2948-02`	κυλλούς	kullous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	crippled ones	limb-impaired men	limb-impaired ones	2
`G2948-01`	κυλλὸν	kullon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	crippled	a limb-impaired man	crippled	2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2948-02`	Matthew 15:30	κυλλούς	kullous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	maimed	limb-impaired men	limb-impaired ones
`G2948-02`	Matthew 15:31	κυλλοὺς	kullous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	crippled ones	limb-impaired men	the limb-impaired
`G2948-01`	Matthew 18:8	κυλλὸν	kullon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	maimed	a limb-impaired man	lame
`G2948-01`	Mark 9:43	κυλλὸν	kullon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	crippled	a limb-impaired man	crippled

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