"soft; soft to the touch, delicate, Mt. 11:8; Lk. 7:25; met. an instrument of unnatural lust, effeminate, 1 Cor. 6:9*"
Definition and meaning
soft; soft to the touch, delicate, Mt. 11:8; Lk. 7:25; met. an instrument of unnatural lust, effeminate, 1 Cor. 6:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: μαλακός
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 malakos (G3120) across the King James Bible.
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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 G3120 (malakos) is a Greek word that means: soft; soft to the touch, delicate, Mt. 11:8; Lk. 7:25; met. an instrument of unnatural lust, effeminate, 1 Cor. 6:9* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word malakos (G3120) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3120 is malakos, a Greek word defined as: soft; soft to the touch, delicate, Mt. 11:8; Lk. 7:25; met. an instrument of unnatural lust, effeminate, 1 Cor. 6:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
malakos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.