"pr. a wound; hence, an ulcer, sore, Lk. 16:21; Rev. 16:2, 11*"
Definition and meaning
pr. a wound; hence, an ulcer, sore, Lk. 16:21; Rev. 16:2, 11*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἕλκος
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of helkos (G1668) across the King James Bible.
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
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Common questions
Strong's G1668 (helkos) is a Greek word that means: pr. a wound; hence, an ulcer, sore, Lk. 16:21; Rev. 16:2, 11* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word helkos (G1668) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1668 is helkos, a Greek word defined as: pr. a wound; hence, an ulcer, sore, Lk. 16:21; Rev. 16:2, 11*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
helkos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.