ὄγκος
ónkos
G3591 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bulk or mass; primarily denotes a physical mass, heaviness, or load. By extension, refers to a weight or burden, both in a literal and, secondarily, in a figurative sense such as an impediment or obstacle to progress.
Semantic Range
physical mass, swelling, mound, tumor, weight, burden, encumbrance, hindrance
Root / Etymology
Possibly related to ἀγκάλη (the bend or crook of the arm), likened to something borne or carried, but exact etymology uncertain. May share Indo-European roots relating to bending or carrying, yet the precise derivational path remains unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὄγκος is used for any kind of mass or physical bulk, such as a swelling, mound, or tumor, especially in medical literature (e.g., Hippocratic corpus). In broader Hellenistic and Koine usage, the term expands to denote a weight or encumbrance, either tangible or metaphorical. In the New Testament (Hebrews 12:1), ὄγκος refers to anything that weighs down, suggesting an encumbrance to action or movement, particularly in moral or ethical metaphor. In Septuagint and non-biblical Koine, sense of 'bulk' or 'weight' dominates, rarely having the precise legal or financial nuance of English 'weight' as a unit of measure. English translations typically render the term as 'weight' or 'burden', but do not always convey the extended metaphor of something that physically or morally hinders. Distinguished from βάρος, which more strictly emphasizes heaviness or a heavy load, while ὄγκος may stress the encumbering aspect or the prominence of the mass.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the same as ἀγκάλη; a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), i.e. burden (hindrance):--weight.
Root Family
ὄγκος (onkos) — mass, bulk, weight, encumbrance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3591-01 |
ὄγκον | ogkon | N ACC M SG |
weight | a weighty mass | a weighty mass | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3591-01 |
Hebrews 12:1 | ὄγκον | ogkon | N ACC M SG |
weight | a weighty mass | a weighty mass |