- *G2971 *1 κώνωψ (ko'-nopes) : apparently a derivative of the base of G2759 and a derivative of G3700; a mosquito (from its stinging proboscis):--gnat.
- κωνωπα
- Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
29. Usage - gnat
*G2971 *1 κώνωψ (ko'-nopes) : apparently a derivative of the base of G2759 and a derivative of G3700; a mosquito (from its stinging proboscis):--gnat.
 |
Words: κωνωπα=1
|
Strong makes some connections that do not appear to be linguistically valid. The ancient Greek word
"κώνωψ" ≈ "gnat, mosquito" and is used by Aesop, Aristotle, etc. The word appears to be a Semitic loan word with origins in Egypt - where there would be many gnats and mosquitoes along the Nile River. There appears to be a connection with the Egyptian coastal town of
"Κάνωπος" ≈ "Canopus", named by the Greeks for a commander during the Trojan War who was said to have been buried there.
30. Similar sounding words
Here are some Greek words that start with the same sound as
"κώνωψ" ≈ "mosquito, gnat"
- "κῶνος" ≈ "pine cone, conic section" which appears to have influenced the word for "mosquito". There are instances of the use of "megaphones" (not by that name) in ancient plays in Greece.
- "κώνειον" ≈ "hemlock" and the poison derived from that plant. This was the poison Socrates drank for his execution. It could also mean a "fennel rod" that was used to draw geometrical figures in the sand.
31. Latin, French and English
The ancient Greek word
"κώνωψ" ≈ "gnat, mosquito" went into Latin as a version of "
canopy" - originally a mosquito net. The Latin word
"conopeum" ≈ "mosquito net, canopy" (not in the Latin Vulgate).
It later went into French. The French word
"canapé" ≈ "sofa" is from Old French which is from the Latin word
"conopeum" ≈ "seat with a canopy". Thus, "
So far as the net gain of a gnat into a canopy" starts with the play on words "
sofa as the ...".
The English word
"canopy" came from the same Latin word and is cognate with the French word. The French word emphasized the Latin "
seat" part of "
seat with a canopy" while the English word emphasized the "
canopy" part of "
seat with a canopy".
32. Modern Greek
This French word later came back into modern Greek as
"καναπές" (ka-na-PEHS) ≈ "sofa" from French the French word
"canapé" ≈ "sofa".
For comparison, the modern Greek word for mosquito is
"κουνούπι" (ku-NU-pee) ≈ "mosquito" which came from the ancient Greek word
"κώνωψ" ≈ "gnat, mosquito".
There is a long list of words that were originally Greek, left as loan words to other languages, and eventually come back into Greek, sometimes called, in Greek, a "
false loan".
Who do you call when the mosquitoes are out in force?
The swat team.
If a bee is bothering you, why should you stare at it?
Because seeing is bee leaving. Hold it! Seeing is in the eye of the bee holder.
33. Leviticus 11:22-24 Unclean bugs
34. Leviticus 11:23
KJV: But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
Hebrew: וכל שרץ העוף אשר לו ארבע רגלים שקץ הוא לכם׃
Greek: παν ερπετον απο των πετεινων οις εστιν τεσσαρες ποδες βδελυγμα εστιν υμιν
Brenton: Every creeping thing from amongst the birds, which has four feet, is an abomination to you.
35. A concise tome on insect divisions and sections
36. Matthew 23:24 The gnat
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Ancient Greek had a "
definite article" but no "
indefinite article".
- "τον" ≈ "the" as a definite article (accusative masculine form).
Thus, the Greek says "
the mosquito" and not "
a mosquito". The "
at" is inferred.
- Yes: the mosquito
- No: a mosquito.
Who or what might be intended by "
the mosquito"?
One explanation might be to call this an "
idiom". Another explanation is that the apparent play on words does not work without the definite article.
37. Matthew 23:24 The camel
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Ancient Greek had a "
definite article" but no "
indefinite article".
- "την" ≈ "the" as a definite article (accusative feminine form).
Thus, the Greek says "
the camel" and not "
a camel".
- Yes: the camel
- No: a camel.
Who or what might be intended by "
the camel"? The Greek camel can be in masculine or feminine form.
One explanation might be to call this an "
idiom". Another explanation is that the apparent play on words does not work without the definite article (in feminine form).
38. Matthew 23:24
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
| Matthew 23:24 |
| Strong |
Used |
Unique |
Word |
Part of speech |
| G3595 |
5 |
3 |
οδηγοι |
noun vocative plural masculine |
| G5185 |
50 |
14 |
τυφλοι |
adjective vocative plural masculine |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1118 |
οι |
article nominative plural masculine |
| G1368 |
1 |
1 |
διυλιζοντες |
verb present active participle nominative plural masculine |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1561 |
τον |
article accusative singular masculine |
| G2971 |
1 |
1 |
κωνωπα |
noun accusative singular masculine |
| G3588 |
19706 |
1518 |
την |
article accusative singular feminine |
| G1161 |
2777 |
2755 |
δε |
conjunction |
| G2574 |
6 |
4 |
καμηλον |
noun accusative singular masculine |
| G2666 |
7 |
1 |
καταπινοντες |
verb present active participle nominative plural masculine |
Note: The Tischendorf
GNT and associated parts of speech has camel as masculine. The Greek "
camel" could be masculine or feminine. Jesus uses the feminine form here which is needed to make a play on words using feminine "
την" rather than masculine "
τον".
39. Leviticus 11:4 Camel
Leviticus 11:4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. [kjv]
… הגמל … [he]
πλην απο τουτων ου φαγεσθε απο των αναγοντων μηρυκισμον και απο των διχηλουντων τας οπλας και ονυχιζοντων ονυχιστηρας τον καμηλον οτι αναγει μηρυκισμον τουτο οπλην δε ου διχηλει ακαθαρτον τουτο υμιν [lxx]
The word for
"camel" goes back to the Hebrew letter "
gimel" which looks somewhat like a "
camel". This is the third letter of the Hebrew and Greek alphabet and corresponds the letter "
G" in English.
40. Strongs - camel
- *H1581 גָּמָל (gaw-mawl') : apparently from H1580 (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing); a camel:--camel.
- *G2574 *6 κάμηλος (kam'-ay-los) : of Hebrew origin (1581); a "camel":--camel.
- καμηλον *4
- Matthew 19:24 ... It is easier for a camel to go through the eye ...
- Matthew 23:24 ... a gnat, and swallow a camel.
- Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye ...
- Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's ...
- καμηλου *2
- Matthew 3:4 ... his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern ...
- Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle ...
41. Usage - camel
*H1581 גָּמָל (gaw-mawl') : apparently from H1580 (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing); a camel:--camel.
*G2574 *6 κάμηλος (kam'-ay-los) : of Hebrew origin (1581); a "camel":--camel.
 |
Words: καμηλον=4 καμηλου=2
|
The ancient Greek word
"κάμηλος" ≈ "camel" and comes from the Semitic.
42. Matthew 23:24 Gnats and camels
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
- The Aramaic word for "camel" is "gamal" while the Hebrew word is closer to "gimel".
- The Aramaic word for "gnat" is supposedly "galma" but could be more like "kalma".
In the Aramaic connection, both "
gnats" and "
camels" are
unclean. The literal meaning imagery, in one sense, is that of nitpicking others for small things, such as a "
gnat" while themselves doing big things, such as a "
camel".
There appears to be some play on words in the Greek.
43. Aramaic hypothesis
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
This verse is the "
poster child" example of the "
Aramaic hypothesis" as the words used here can be associated with Aramaic words to support the idea that Jesus spoke Aramaic with a few Greek words. On close inspection, however, Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, makes some interesting Greek play on words. Once these are identified, those play on words fit well with other play on words in verses before and after this verse.
This claimed connection is somewhat misleading as both Greek words appear to have a Semitic origin. Thus, concluding that the original speech was in Aramaic and then translated into Greek is tenuous. If the words were spoken in Greek, they would still have an Aramaic or Semitic origin.
44. Leviticus 11:4
KJV: Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
Hebrew: אך את זה לא תאכלו ממעלי הגרה וממפריסי הפרסה את הגמל כי מעלה גרה הוא ופרסה איננו מפריס טמא הוא לכם׃
Greek: πλην απο τουτων ου φαγεσθε απο των αναγοντων μηρυκισμον και απο των διχηλουντων τας οπλας και ονυχιζοντων ονυχιστηρας τον καμηλον οτι αναγει μηρυκισμον τουτο οπλην δε ου διχηλει ακαθαρτον τουτο υμιν
45. Swallow
46. Strongs - swallow
- *G2666 *7 καταπίνω (kat-ap-ee'-no) : from G2596 and G4095; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):--devour, drown, swallow (up).
- καταποθη *2
- 2 Corinthians 2:7 ... comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
- 2 Corinthians 5:4 ... be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
- καταπινοντες
- Matthew 23:24 ... which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
- κατεποθη
- 1 Corinthians 15:54 ... that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
- κατεποθησαν
- Hebrews 11:29 ... the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
- καταπιειν
- 1 Peter 5:8 ... walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- κατεπιεν
- Revelation 12:16 ... her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon ...
47. Usage - swallow
*G2666 *7 καταπίνω (kat-ap-ee'-no) : from G2596 and G4095; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):--devour, drown, swallow (up).
 |
Words: καταπιειν καταπινοντες=1 καταποθη=2 κατεπιεν κατεποθη κατεποθησαν
|
The ancient Greek word
"καταπίνω" ≈ "swallow, drink down" and could relate to food and drink in general. There may be a play on meaning with the "
swallow", which literally means "
getting down to drinking", with the word for mosquito (as a calque) and thus bring to mind "
drinking blood".
48. Birds
49. Matthew 6:26
KJV: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Greek: εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων
50. Matthew 8:20
KJV: And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Greek: και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη
51. Matthew 13:4
KJV: And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Greek: και εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσεν παρα την οδον και ηλθεν ελθοντα τα πετεινα και κατεφαγεν αυτα
52. Play on words
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
These words start with the same sounds as "
gnat".
- "κῶνος" ≈ "pine cone".
- "κώνειον" ≈ "hemlock" and the poison derived from that plant.
The word for "
gnat" is used and then followed by some interesting and ordered connecting words.
- "κώνωπα" ≈ "gnat, mosquito" (as used).
- "την" ≈ "the" and "δε" ≈ "but not, not".
- "πετεινός" ≈ "bird" and "πετεινά" ≈ "birds".
Greek: κωνωπα την δε (as written) for "gnat the/of which".
Greek: κωνον πετεινα (play on words) for "cone/hemlock/poison birds".
In play on words, one takes the written meaning and adds the imagery created by the play on words.
53. Play on words
The ancient Greek word
"κάμηλος" ≈ "camel" and comes from the Semitic.
As a possible play on words, consider the following.
- The ancient Greek word "και" ≈ "and".
- The ancient Greek word "μῆλον" ≈ "apple". The Romans liked apples (from 300 BC) and were known for their tasty and colorful "red" apples.
Greek: κάμηλον καταπινοντες (as written) for "camel swallow".
Greek: και μυλόν καταπινοντες (play on words) for "and apple swallow/drink down".
In play on words, one takes the written meaning and adds the imagery created by the play on words. The imagery of "
drinking blood" is present.
Greek had the legend of the "
Apple of discord".
54. Apple of discord
The ancient Greek phrase
"μῆλον τῆς Ἔριδος" ≈ "Apple of Eris" is the "
golden apple of discord" chosen by the goddess Eris in the garden of the Hesperides.
That innocent (but intentionally placed) apple sparked a vanity contest between
Hera,
Athena and
Aphrodite and is attributed as the reason for the
Trojan War.
55. Matthew 23:24 Put it together
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
English: strain the gnat the of/which the camel swallow
Greek: διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε κάμηλον καταπινοντες (as written
Greek: δια λιζοντες τον κωνο πετεινα και μυλόν καταπινοντες (play on words)
English: through the matter/play the cone/hemlock/poison birds and apple swallow
The flexible Greek word order is sometimes used to create a play on words that adds the imagery and meaning to the actual words.
Had the religious establishment in Judea attempted to "
swallow" the "
poison" and/or "
blood" of the (Roman) "
birds" and "
apple"? There are other ways that the play on words could create mental imagery.
The Greek for "
gnat" is the source of the English word
"canopy".
56. End of page
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! [kjv]
και ειδον και ηκουσα ενος αετου πετομενου εν μεσουρανηματι λεγοντος φωνη μεγαλη ουαι ουαι ουαι τους κατοικουντας επι της γης εκ των λοιπων φωνων της σαλπιγγος των τριων αγγελων των μελλοντων σαλπιζειν [gnt]
18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. [kjv]
και εβαλον χουν επι τας κεφαλας αυτων και εκραξαν κλαιοντες και πενθουντες λεγοντες ουαι ουαι η πολις η μεγαλη εν η επλουτησαν παντες οι εχοντες τα πλοια εν τη θαλασση εκ της τιμιοτητος αυτης οτι μια ωρα ηρημωθη [gnt]
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. [kjv]
ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι αποδεκατουτε το ηδυοσμον και το ανηθον και το κυμινον και αφηκατε τα βαρυτερα του νομου την κρισιν και το ελεος και την πιστιν ταυτα δε δε εδει ποιησαι κακεινα μη αφειναι [gnt]
vae … hypocritae … omittere [v]
23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
… excolantes culicem camelum … gluttientes [v]
23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [kjv]
ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι καθαριζετε το εξωθεν του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν εξ αρπαγης και ακρασιας [gnt]
vae … hypocritae … foris … calicis … parapsidis … [v]
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. [kjv]
23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [kjv]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
… excolantes culicem camelum … gluttientes [v]
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. [kjv]
ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι αποδεκατουτε το ηδυοσμον και το ανηθον και το κυμινον και αφηκατε τα βαρυτερα του νομου την κρισιν και το ελεος και την πιστιν ταυτα δε δε εδει ποιησαι κακεινα μη αφειναι [gnt]
vae … hypocritae … omittere [v]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
… excolantes culicem camelum … gluttientes [v]
The Greek words for "gnat", "camel" and "swallow" all start with a "kappa" or "κ".
Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. [kjv]
βλεπετε τους κυνας βλεπετε τους κακους εργατας βλεπετε την κατατομην [gnt]
videte canes videte malos operarios videte concisionem [v]
The three word groups all start with the Greek "K" or "Kappa" letter. The "beware" means "see" or "observe".
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
… excolantes culicem camelum … gluttientes [v]
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
… gnet … [wes]
… gnatte… [wy]
Cat: There was a fly. I got it.
Leviticus 11:22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. [kjv]
και ταυτα φαγεσθε απ αυτων τον βρουχον και τα ομοια αυτω και τον αττακην και τα ομοια αυτω και την ακριδα και τα ομοια αυτη και τον οφιομαχην και τα ομοια αυτω [lxx]
11:23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. [kjv]
παν ερπετον απο των πετεινων οις εστιν τεσσαρες ποδες βδελυγμα εστιν υμιν [lxx]
11:24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even. [kjv]
Insects such as mosquitoes and gnats, that could fly and had four feet, were unclean.
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
και εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσεν παρα την οδον και ελθοντα τα πετεινα κατεφαγεν αυτα [gnt]
8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη [gnt]
