μαλακός
malakos
soft/effeminate
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the provided data, the Greek word "μαλακός" (malakos) is defined as "soft" or "effeminate." This term is used four times in the Bible, suggesting a specific context where the author aims to convey this meaning. The definition suggests that "malakos" refers to a lack of physical strength or resilience, but in the context of human behavior, it may imply a loss of virility or a characteristic typically associated with the female in a patriarchal society. The term's association with weakness and a potential lack of strength implies a range of usage that is critical or judgmental. In this limited usage, "malakos" has significant implications for understanding power dynamics in the ancient world. Given its definition and occurrence in the Bible, the term suggests that certain behaviors or characteristics are seen as unacceptable or undesirable in a society governed by masculinity and strength.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Luke 7:25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
1 Corinthians 6:9Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,