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παραλυτικός

paralytikós

G3885 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Paralytic; suffering from paralysis, i.e., afflicted with weakness or loss of bodily movement, typically referring to a person whose motor functions are impaired to the point of partial or total immobility. In Hellenistic and Roman medical contexts, designates an individual experiencing loss of muscle function, especially as associated with sudden or chronic illness. In literary and documentary texts, most often a descriptive term for those unable to walk or with severely hindered movement.

Semantic Range

paralyzed, paralytic, suffering paralysis, unable to move (especially of limbs), powerless (rare, figurative contexts)

Root / Etymology

From παραλύω ('to loosen beside, to paralyze'), itself formed from παρά ('beside') and λύω ('to loose, untie'). The suffix -ικός forms an adjective indicating one characterized by or pertaining to being paralyzed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term παραλυτικός appears in Greek medical and non-medical texts of the Hellenistic and Roman periods to describe individuals with significant loss of bodily movement—most often loss of the use of limbs, especially legs. In the New Testament, it primarily refers to people rendered unable to walk, likely indicating various medical conditions involving paralysis, not limited to what modern English calls 'palsy.' The term does not specify the cause or extent of paralysis but denotes a visible impairment. In the Greek-speaking world, the term does not have the restrictive connotations of English 'palsy'; its medical use was broader. Standard English Bible translations ('paralytic,' 'lame,' or phrases like 'sick of the palsy') may not capture the full scope of temporary or sustained loss of mobility, nor the lack of specificity regarding etiology in the Greek contexts. There is no inherent religious implication in the term itself.

Translation Consistency

primary "paralyzed" 10 occurrences

Modern, natural English adjective matching the SILEX sense (suffering paralysis; unable to move). 'Paralyzed' fits typical phrasing ('the paralyzed man') better than the more formal/archaic noun 'paralytic', and covers the primary semantic range in most contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of παραλύω; as if dissolved, i.e. "paralytic":--that had (sick of) the palsy.

Root Family

παραλῡ- (paralytikós) — to loosen beside, to paralyze, to make powerless

Root παραλῡ- to loosen beside, to paralyze, to make powerless

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3885-01 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man 5
G3885-02 παραλυτικὸν paralutikon ADJ.S ACC M SG a paralytic a paralyzed man a paralyzed man 2
G3885-03 παραλυτικός paralutikos ADJ.S NOM M SG paralytic paralyzed man paralyzed man 2
G3885-04 παραλυτικούς paralutikous ADJ.S ACC M PL paralytics paralyzed men paralyzed men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3885-04 Matthew 4:24 παραλυτικούς paralutikous ADJ.S ACC M PL paralytics paralyzed men paralyzed men
G3885-03 Matthew 8:6 παραλυτικός paralutikos ADJ.S NOM M SG paralyzed paralyzed man paralyzed man
G3885-02 Matthew 9:2 παραλυτικὸν paralutikon ADJ.S ACC M SG a paralytic a paralyzed man a paralyzed man
G3885-01 Matthew 9:2 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man
G3885-01 Matthew 9:6 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man
G3885-02 Mark 2:3 παραλυτικὸν paralutikon ADJ.S ACC M SG paralytic a paralyzed man a paralyzed man
G3885-03 Mark 2:4 παραλυτικὸς paralutikos ADJ.S NOM M SG paralytic paralyzed man paralyzed man
G3885-01 Mark 2:5 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man
G3885-01 Mark 2:9 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man
G3885-01 Mark 2:10 παραλυτικῷ paralutiko ADJ.S DAT M SG paralytic to a paralytic to a paralyzed man
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