τίλλω
tíllō
G5089 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To pluck or pull out, especially of hair, feathers, or similar substances. In more general contexts, the word can denote the act of pulling, tearing, or removing something from its source by forceful action. The principal sense is that of grasping and extracting, typically with one’s fingers or hand, and specifically applies to removing growths (such as hair or feathers) from a body.
Semantic Range
to pluck (out), to pull out (typically hair or feathers), to tear out, to remove forcibly (especially something attached or growing, such as hair, feathers, plant leaves)
Root / Etymology
The etymology is uncertain. It has no widely-attested cognates in mainstream Greek roots. Some have suggested a loose connection to the alternate stem of αἱρέομαι ('to take, grasp'), or to σύρω ('to drag, pull'), but direct derivation is not established. τίλλω is an isolated verb in Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, τίλλω primarily described the physical act of pulling out hair, such as in expressions of mourning or anger (e.g., pulling one’s own hair in grief). It also appears in connection with removing feathers from birds, and by extension, plucking the leaves of plants. In the Koine period, its usage is rare and survives chiefly in idiomatic or descriptive passages. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its attestation is highly limited, and it typically refers to literal plucking actions. Later Greek sources may use related compounds or adopt other verbs for such actions. English translations like 'pluck' convey the general idea but may not communicate the tactile or intense nature of the action.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps akin to the alternate of αἱρέομαι, and thus to σύρω; to pull off:--pluck.
Root Family
τίλλω (tíllō) — to pluck, to pull out, to tear out
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5089-01 |
ἔτιλλον | etillon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were plucking | they were plucking out | they were plucking out | 1 |
G5089-03 |
τίλλοντες | tillontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
plucking | plucking out | plucking | 1 |
G5089-02 |
τίλλειν | tillein | V PRS ACT INF |
to pluck | to pluck out | to pluck | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5089-02 |
Matthew 12:1 | τίλλειν | tillein | V PRS ACT INF |
to pluck | to pluck out | to pluck |
G5089-03 |
Mark 2:23 | τίλλοντες | tillontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
plucking | plucking out | plucking |
G5089-01 |
Luke 6:1 | ἔτιλλον | etillon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were plucking | they were plucking out | they were plucking out |