"of a stern, morose, sour, gloomy, or dejected countenance, Mt. 6:16; Lk. 24:17*"
Definition and meaning
of a stern, morose, sour, gloomy, or dejected countenance, Mt. 6:16; Lk. 24:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: σκυθρωπός
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 skythropos (G4659) across the King James Bible.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
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Common questions
Strong's G4659 (skythropos) is a Greek word that means: of a stern, morose, sour, gloomy, or dejected countenance, Mt. 6:16; Lk. 24:17* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word skythropos (G4659) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4659 is skythropos, a Greek word defined as: of a stern, morose, sour, gloomy, or dejected countenance, Mt. 6:16; Lk. 24:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
skythropos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.