ἑλκόω G1669
to ulcerate, be covered with sores; to suffer from open wounds or lesions
This verb means to be covered with sores or ulcers, to suffer from open wounds. In Luke 16:20, it describes Lazarus in the parable, a beggar "covered with sores" who lay at the rich man's gate. The perfect passive participle suggests a settled, pitiable condition: he is thoroughly ulcerated, his body ravaged by untreated wounds. The detail heightens the contrast between Lazarus' suffering and the rich man's comfort, setting up the reversal in the afterlife.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To be covered with sores or ulcers, suffering from festering wounds. In Luke 16:20, Lazarus is described as thoroughly ulcerated, lying helpless at the rich man's gate while dogs licked his sores. The verb paints a vivid picture of his misery and neglect, underscoring the callousness of the rich man who ignored this suffering at his doorstep. The reversal of their fates in eternity makes the parable's point unforgettable. 1×
AR["مَلِيءًا-بِالقُرُوحِ"]·ben["ঘায়ে-ভরা"]·DE["εἱλκωμένος"]·EN["covered-with-sores"]·FR["couvert-d'ulcères"]·heb["מֻכֶּה"]·HI["घावों-से-भरा-हुआ"]·ID["penuh-luka"]·IT["eilkomenos"]·jav["koreng,"]·KO["헌데-투성이의"]·PT["coberto-de-chagas"]·RU["покрытый-язвами"]·ES["lleno-de-llagas"]·SW["mwenye-vidonda"]·TR["yaralı"]·urd["پھوڑوں-سے-بھرا"]
Related Senses
H7200 1. Qal: to see, perceive (1257×)G4771 2. you (singular address) (1077×)H8085 1. Qal: hear, perceive aurally (921×)H0859a 1. you (2nd person masculine singular pronoun) (743×)H0398 1. eat (consume food) (697×)H4191 1. die (Qal: natural/general death) (645×)G3708 1. see, perceive visually (419×)G0191 1. hear, perceive sound (360×)H???? 3. (352×)G3708 2. behold, look (exclamatory) (256×)H7272 1. foot (body part) (236×)H8354 1. drink, consume liquid (209×)H3205 1. Qal active: bear/give birth (female subject) (204×)H3205 2. Qal active: beget/father (male subject) (198×)H2421 1. Qal: live, be alive (177×)H8085 2. Qal: listen, heed, pay attention (172×)H2416a 1. alive, living (state/attribute) (146×)H2416e 1. life, lifespan, lifetime (145×)G2198 1. be alive, have life (133×)H8193 1. lip, lips (body part) (123×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἑλκόω, wound, lacerate, Refs 5th c.BC+ __2 ulcerate, βλέφαρα Refs 5th c.BC+:—passive, of persons, to suffer from wounds or sores, NT; of sores, suppurate, Refs 5th c.BC+ __3 make an incision in a tree, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II metaphorically, ἑ. φρένας, οἴκους, Refs 5th c.BC+:—passive, τὴν διάνοιαν ἑλκοῦσθαι Refs 1st c.AD+