ῥαφίς
rhaphís
G4476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A slender, pointed metal implement used for sewing, specifically a needle. The term refers to a tool for piercing fabric or other material in the practice of sewing or embroidery. Occasionally, the term may be used metaphorically to evoke the idea of something extremely narrow or difficult to pass through, as in proverbial expressions.
Semantic Range
needle used for sewing, pointed metal implement for embroidery or mending, metaphor for something very small or difficult to penetrate or pass through
Root / Etymology
Probably derived from the root ῥαφ- (to sew), relating to the verb ῥάπτω ('to sew' or 'to stitch'). While some proposed connections to ῥαπίζω (to strike) via the idea of puncturing are mentioned, the more direct derivation is from the sewing root. The etymology is Greek and attested in wider Greek usage for sewing implements.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ῥαφίς was the standard term in Koine Greek for a needle, essential in domestic activities such as sewing, mending, and embroidery. The word appears in the New Testament, notably in the proverb of the eye of the needle (e.g., Matthew 19:24), where it serves as a metaphor for something extremely difficult. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, the term maintains a literal sense and is not attested with any technical or ritual connotations. Septuagint usage, where it occurs, aligns with its literal meaning. Ancient English translations often render ῥαφίς as 'needle,' though the wider cultural context of sewing implements may not always be conveyed. The imagery in New Testament proverbial usage is paralleled in both Jewish and broader Mediterranean literature, often evoking impossibility or extreme difficulty. Distinct from δηνάριον (coin) or καμήλου (camel) in the same proverb, the ῥαφίς represents the smallest aperture imaginable in common experience.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a primary (to sew; perhaps rather akin to the base of ῥαπίζω through the idea of puncturing); a needle:-- needle.
Root Family
ῥαφίς (rhaphis) — needle, sewing implement, stitching tool
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4476-01 |
ῥαφίδος | raphidos | N GEN F SG |
of a needle | of a sewing needle | of a needle | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4476-01 |
Matthew 19:24 | ῥαφίδος | raphidos | N GEN F SG |
of a needle | of a sewing needle | of a sewing needle |
G4476-01 |
Mark 10:25 | ῥαφίδος | raphidos | N GEN F SG |
of a needle | of a sewing needle | of a needle |