"a needle, Mt. 19:24; Mk. 10:25*"
Definition and meaning
a needle, Mt. 19:24; Mk. 10:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: ῥαφίς
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 rhaphis (G4476) across the King James Bible.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
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Common questions
Strong's G4476 (rhaphis) is a Greek word that means: a needle, Mt. 19:24; Mk. 10:25* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word rhaphis (G4476) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4476 is rhaphis, a Greek word defined as: a needle, Mt. 19:24; Mk. 10:25*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
rhaphis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.