"any small dry thing, as chaff, stubble, splinter; Mt. 7:3, 4, 5; Lk. 6:41, 42*"
Definition and meaning
any small dry thing, as chaff, stubble, splinter; Mt. 7:3, 4, 5; Lk. 6:41, 42*
In the original Greek the word is written: κάρφος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 karphos (G2595) across the King James Bible.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2595 (karphos) is a Greek word that means: any small dry thing, as chaff, stubble, splinter; Mt. 7:3, 4, 5; Lk. 6:41, 42* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word karphos (G2595) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2595 is karphos, a Greek word defined as: any small dry thing, as chaff, stubble, splinter; Mt. 7:3, 4, 5; Lk. 6:41, 42*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
karphos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.