ψώχω
psṓchō
G5597 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rub or rub out, especially by using the fingers or hand to remove outer layers or coverings from grains or similar materials. The primary sense is physical rubbing with the fingers to separate edible kernels from husks or chaff. Rarely, by extension, may denote the act of crushing or triturating in small-scale manual processes.
Semantic Range
to rub (with fingers), to rub out (kernels from husks), to crush or triturate manually, to separate grain from chaff by hand
Root / Etymology
Derived from the same root as ψάλλω (psallō, to pluck or pull), likely from the notion of rubbing or handling with the fingers. The verb itself is only attested in Koine Greek contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ψώχω is an extremely rare verb, found only in later Hellenistic and Koine Greek sources, and specifically used in the context of manual separation of grain or similar substances by rubbing (cf. Luke 6:1, where disciples rub ears of grain in their hands). It is not attested in Classical Greek literature. The act described is more precise than simply 'to crush,' referring to the manual process of removing grain from husks without mechanical tools. By analogy, the verb may be applied to similar situations like rubbing spices or small objects. English translations often render the word simply as 'to rub,' but this may miss the specific manual, agricultural context. ψώχω is distinct from terms like λικμάω (likmaō, to winnow) or ἀλοάω (aloaō, to thresh), which refer to different stages or methods of grain processing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
prolongation from the same base as ψάλλω; to triturate, i.e. (by analogy) to rub out (kernels from husks with the fingers or hand):--rub.
Root Family
ψώχω (psōchō) — to rub, to rub out, to triturate by hand
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5597-01 |
ψώχοντες | psochontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
rubbing | rubbing out by hand | rubbing out by hand | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5597-01 |
Luke 6:1 | ψώχοντες | psochontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
rubbing | rubbing out by hand | rubbing out by hand |