παροιμ-ία G3942
Proverb, figure of speech, figurative saying; an indirect or metaphorical form of teaching.
A noun meaning proverb, figure of speech, or figurative saying — a form of indirect communication that requires interpretation. In the Johannine literature it describes Jesus' veiled manner of teaching. In John 10:6, the shepherd discourse is called a παροιμία that the audience did not understand. John 16:25 contrasts the current figurative mode with a coming time of plain speech, and 16:29 marks the disciples' recognition that Jesus is finally speaking plainly. Second Peter 2:22 quotes an actual proverb about a dog returning to its vomit. The Spanish distinction between 'parábola' (parable, John) and 'proverbio' (proverb, 2 Peter) neatly mirrors the two sub-senses this word carries.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A proverb, figure of speech, or figurative saying — an indirect, often metaphorical form of discourse that requires deeper understanding to interpret. Unlike παραβολή (which the Synoptics prefer), John uses παροιμία for Jesus' figurative teaching style. In John 10:6, the shepherd-and-gate discourse is labeled a παροιμία that baffled the Pharisees. John 16:25 creates an eschatological contrast: 'I have spoken in figures (παροιμίαις), but a time is coming when I will tell you plainly about the Father.' Second Peter 2:22 uses it in its more classical sense — an actual folk proverb: 'A dog returns to its own vomit.' The Spanish glosses 'parábola' (for the Johannine figurative discourses) versus 'proverbio' (for the 2 Peter maxim) helpfully distinguish the two registers this single Greek word covers. 5×
AR["أَمْثَالٍ", "المَثَلِ", "مَثَل", "مَثَلًا"]·ben["দৃষ্টান্ত", "দৃষ্টান্তে", "প্রবাদ"]·DE["Gleichnisse"]·EN["figure-of-speech", "figures-of-speech", "proverb"]·FR["proverbe"]·heb["מְשָׁלִים", "מָשָׁל"]·HI["कहावत", "दृष्टान्त", "दृष्टान्तों"]·ID["peribahasa:", "perumpamaan"]·IT["paroimiais", "paroimian", "paroimias"]·jav["paribasan:", "pasemon"]·KO["비유-로", "비유-를", "비유를", "속담-의:"]·PT["parábola", "parábolas", "provérbio"]·RU["пословицы", "притчах", "притчу"]·ES["parábola", "parábolas", "proverbio"]·SW["mfano", "mifano", "mithali"]·TR["atasözünün", "benzetme", "benzetmelerle", "benzetmeyi"]·urd["تمثیل", "تمثیلوں", "کہاوت-کا:"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
παροιμ-ία, ἡ, proverb, maxim, saw, Refs 5th c.BC+; κατὰ τὴν π. as the saying goes, Refs 5th c.BC+; καθάπερ ἡ π.Refs 5th c.BC+: in plural, of the Proverbs of Solomon, LXX __2 figure, comparison, NT __3 digression, incidental remark, Refs 3rd c.BC+