"in our text (Mt. 9:17). to rend, shatter; to break or burst in pieces Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37; to rend, lacerate, Mt. 7:6; to cast or dash upon the ground, convulse, Mk. 9:18; Lk. 9:42; absol. to break forth into exclamation, Gal. 4:27"
Definition and meaning
in our text (Mt. 9:17). to rend, shatter; to break or burst in pieces Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37; to rend, lacerate, Mt. 7:6; to cast or dash upon the ground, convulse, Mk. 9:18; Lk. 9:42; absol. to break forth into exclamation, Gal. 4:27
In the original Greek the word is written: ῥήσσω
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 rhesso 6x also spelled (G4486) across the King James Bible.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
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Common questions
Strong's G4486 (rhesso 6x also spelled) is a Greek word that means: in our text (Mt. 9:17). to rend, shatter; to break or burst in pieces Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37; to rend, lacerate, Mt. 7:6; to cast or dash upon the ground, convulse, Mk. 9:18; Lk. 9:42; absol. to... It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word rhesso 6x also spelled (G4486) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4486 is rhesso 6x also spelled, a Greek word defined as: in our text (Mt. 9:17). to rend, shatter; to break or burst in pieces Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37; to rend, lacerate, Mt. 7:6; to cast or dash upon t. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
rhesso 6x also spelled is a Greek word found in the New Testament.