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παραβολή

parabolḗ

G3850 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A comparison or illustration; specifically, a narrative or saying used to convey a deeper or indirect meaning by analogy, often structured as a story or analogy drawn from daily life. The term encompasses short sayings, proverbs, riddles, analogies, and, most characteristically in the Synoptic Gospels, narrative parables designed to provoke reflection, communicate wisdom, or obscure meaning for select audiences. The sense ranges from any verbal illustration or figure of speech to extended allegorical stories.

Semantic Range

comparison, illustration, analogy, riddle, proverb, adage, short saying, didactic story, parable, allegory, figure of speech

Root / Etymology

From παραβάλλω (parabállō), 'to set beside, to compare.' Formed from παρα- ('beside') + βάλλω ('to throw, to cast'), hence meaning 'a placing beside' (for comparison).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παραβολή meant 'comparison, juxtaposition, or analogy,' often without an overt narrative component. During the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the term broadened to denote illustrative narratives (as in the LXX) and figurative speech. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew מָשָׁל (mashal), which covers a wide range: proverbs, aphorisms, enigmatic sayings, and illustrative stories. In the New Testament, especially in the Synoptics, it overwhelmingly refers to didactic stories—parables—used by Jesus to teach through indirect analogy, often addressing the dynamics of the 'reign of God,' ethical conduct, or the nature of discipleship. However, its use can still include brief comparisons, maxims, or proverbial sayings (e.g., Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), and enigmatic utterances. English tradition translates παραβολή chiefly as 'parable,' but this can obscure the broader semantic field, which includes proverbs, riddles, and metaphorical comparisons. Notably, παροιμία (G3942) often refers to a more enigmatic or dark saying. The use of παραβολή in ancient Jewish literature (e.g., Sirach, rabbinic writings) is similarly broad. The narrative parable is particularly characteristic of Jesus' teaching in the Synoptics.

Translation Consistency

primary "parable" 50 occurrences

The NT sense is most often the narrative, illustrative story used to teach or obscure meaning. 'Parable' is the familiar, natural English term that covers the typical usage in the Synoptic Gospels while also allowing the broader senses (analogy, comparison, illustrative saying). It is more specific and idiomatic than alternatives like 'illustration' or 'analogy.'

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παραβάλλω; a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage:--comparison, figure, parable, proverb.

Root Family

παραβολ- (parabolḗ) — to compare, to set beside, to juxtapose

Root παραβολ- to compare, to set beside, to juxtapose

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3850-04 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable 26
G3850-01 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables 12
G3850-03 παραβολῇ parabole N DAT F SG parable in a comparison in a parable 5
G3850-02 παραβολὰς parabolas N ACC F PL parables illustrative comparisons parables 4
G3850-05 παραβολῆς paraboles N GEN F SG a parable of a comparison of a parable 3

Occurrences in Scripture

50 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3850-01 Matthew 13:3 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-01 Matthew 13:10 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-01 Matthew 13:13 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-04 Matthew 13:18 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Matthew 13:24 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Matthew 13:31 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Matthew 13:33 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-01 Matthew 13:34 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-05 Matthew 13:34 παραβολῆς paraboles N GEN F SG a parable of a comparison of a parable
G3850-01 Matthew 13:35 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-04 Matthew 13:36 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-02 Matthew 13:53 παραβολὰς parabolas N ACC F PL parables illustrative comparisons parables
G3850-04 Matthew 15:15 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Matthew 21:33 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-02 Matthew 21:45 παραβολὰς parabolas N ACC F PL parables illustrative comparisons parables
G3850-01 Matthew 22:1 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-04 Matthew 24:32 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-01 Mark 3:23 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-01 Mark 4:2 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-02 Mark 4:10 παραβολάς parabolas N ACC F PL parables illustrative comparisons parables
G3850-01 Mark 4:11 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-04 Mark 4:13 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-02 Mark 4:13 παραβολὰς parabolas N ACC F PL parables illustrative comparisons parables
G3850-03 Mark 4:30 παραβολῇ parabole N DAT F SG parable in a comparison in a parable
G3850-01 Mark 4:33 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-05 Mark 4:34 παραβολῆς paraboles N GEN F SG a parable of a comparison of a parable
G3850-04 Mark 7:17 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-01 Mark 12:1 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-04 Mark 12:12 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Mark 13:28 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 4:23 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG proverb an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 5:36 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 6:39 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-05 Luke 8:4 παραβολῆς paraboles N GEN F SG a parable of a comparison of a parable
G3850-03 Luke 8:9 παραβολή parabole N NOM F SG parable in a comparison parable
G3850-01 Luke 8:10 παραβολαῖς parabolais N DAT F PL parables to comparisons to parables
G3850-03 Luke 8:11 παραβολή parabole N NOM F SG parable in a comparison parable
G3850-04 Luke 12:16 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 12:41 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 13:6 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 14:7 παραβολήν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 15:3 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 18:1 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 18:9 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 19:11 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 20:9 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 20:19 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-04 Luke 21:29 παραβολὴν parabolen N ACC F SG a parable an illustrative comparison a parable
G3850-03 Hebrews 9:9 παραβολὴ parabole N NOM F SG parable in a comparison in a parable
G3850-03 Hebrews 11:19 παραβολῇ parabole N DAT F SG a figure in a comparison in a parable
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