πάλη
pálē
G3823 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A contest of physical struggle or grappling, specifically hand-to-hand wrestling; in figurative contexts, refers to intense struggle or conflict, especially in a non-physical or metaphorical sense (e.g., spiritual or moral contest). The primary sense is an athletic wrestling match, but is used as a metaphor for strenuous conflict or contention.
Semantic Range
wrestling, hand-to-hand combat, athletic contest (wrestling), struggle, intense conflict, spiritual/moral contest
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root παλ- ('to swing, sway, vibrate'), possibly from πάλλω (pallō, 'to shake, brandish'); although sometimes connected to βάλλω (ballō, 'to throw'), its use is distinct and more closely associated with athletic or combative contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, πάλη refers to the sport of wrestling, a major event in Greek athletic competitions (e.g., Olympic Games). By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term retains this athletic sense, but also broadens as a metaphor for intense struggle or confrontation. In the New Testament, it is used figuratively to denote spiritual or moral conflict (e.g., Ephesians 6:12: 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood...'). Standard English Bible translations render πάλη as 'wrestle' or 'struggle,' which captures the metaphor but sometimes obscures the focus on close, direct contention rather than general fighting. The word differs from ἀγών (agōn), which denotes a broader contest or struggle (not limited to wrestling). There is no specifically ethnic, geographic, or religious content to the term itself; it is a general Greek term for wrestling and, by extension, struggle.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (to vibrate; another form for βάλλω); wrestling:--+ wrestle.
Root Family
παλ- (pálē) — to wrestle, to contend physically
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3823-01 |
πάλη | pale | N NOM F SG |
struggle | wrestling contest | struggle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3823-01 |
Ephesians 6:12 | πάλη | pale | N NOM F SG |
struggle | wrestling contest | struggle |