◄ 2759. kentron ►
Lexicon kentron: Sting, goad Original Word: κέντρον Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kentron Pronunciation: KEN-tron Phonetic Spelling: (ken'-tron) Definition: Sting, goad Meaning: a sting, goad; met: of death. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prick, sting. From kenteo (to prick); a point ("centre"), i.e. A sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse) -- prick, sting. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from kenteó (to prick) Definition a sharp point NASB Translation goads (1), sting (2), stings (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2759: κέντρον κέντρον, κέντρου, τό (κεντέω to prick); 1. a sting, as that of bees (4 Macc. 14:19), scorpions, locusts, Revelation 9:10. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55 (after Hosea 13:14, the Sept.) attributes to death, personified, a κέντρον, i. e. a deadly weapon, and that κέντρον is said to be ἡ ἁμαρτία (56), because sin is death's cause and punishment (?) (Romans 5:12). 2. as in the Greek writings an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden; hence, the proverb πρός κέντρα λακτίζειν, to kick against the goad, i. e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance: Acts 9:5 Rec.; ; cf. Pindar Pythagoras 2, 173; Aeschylus (Ag. 1624, cf.) Prom. 323; Euripides, Bacch. 795; Terent. Phorm. 1, 2, 28; Ammian. 18, 5. Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from κεντέω (kenteō), meaning "to prick" or "to goad." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a "sting" or "goad" does not have a direct one-to-one correspondence in Hebrew, but similar ideas can be found in terms like מַדָּח (maddach, Strong's 4052) meaning "goad" or "prick," used in the context of prodding or inciting action. Another related term is עָקֵב (aqeb, Strong's 6119), meaning "heel" or "footprint," which can metaphorically imply pursuit or consequence, akin to the "sting" of actions. Usage: The term κέντρον is used in the New Testament to describe a physical sting, such as that of a scorpion, or metaphorically to denote something that causes pain or incites action, like a goad used to drive cattle. Context: The Greek word κέντρον appears in the New Testament in contexts that convey both literal and metaphorical meanings. In Acts 26:14, the term is used in the phrase "It is hard for you to kick against the goads," where it metaphorically represents resistance to divine prodding or guidance. This expression, spoken by Jesus to Saul (later Paul) during his conversion experience, illustrates the futility of resisting God's will, likening it to an ox kicking against a sharp goad, which only results in self-inflicted pain. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-56, κέντρον is used in the context of death and sin: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Here, the "sting" of death is identified as sin, and the power of sin is the law. The passage highlights the victory over death and sin through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the removal of the "sting" that once held humanity in fear and bondage. The imagery of κέντρον as a goad or sting serves to illustrate the concept of provocation or incitement, whether it be the painful consequences of sin or the divine urging towards repentance and obedience. The use of this term in the New Testament underscores the transformative power of Christ's resurrection and the futility of resisting God's sovereign purposes. Forms and Transliterations κεντρα κέντρα κεντρον κέντρον kentra kéntra kentron kéntron Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Acts 9:5 Noun-ANP GRK: σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν KJV: to kick against the pricks. INT: for you against [the] goads to kick Acts 26:14 N-ANP GRK: σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν NAS: for you to kick against the goads.' KJV: to kick against the pricks. INT: for you against goads to kick 1 Corinthians 15:55 N-NNS GRK: θάνατε τὸ κέντρον NAS: O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? KJV: where [is] thy sting? O grave, where INT: O death the sting 1 Corinthians 15:56 N-NNS GRK: τὸ δὲ κέντρον τοῦ θανάτου NAS: The sting of death is sin, KJV: The sting of death [is] sin; INT: and [the] sting of death [is] Revelation 9:10 N-ANP GRK: σκορπίοις καὶ κέντρα καὶ ἐν NAS: scorpions, and stings; and in their tails KJV: and there were stings in their INT: scorpions and stings and in Strong's Greek 2759 5 Occurrences κέντρα — 3 Occ. κέντρον — 2 Occ.