"to suckle, give suck, Mt. 24:19; Mk. 13:17; Lk. 21:23; to suck, Mt. 21:16; Lk. 11:27*"
Definition and meaning
to suckle, give suck, Mt. 24:19; Mk. 13:17; Lk. 21:23; to suck, Mt. 21:16; Lk. 11:27*
In the original Greek the word is written: θηλάζω
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 thelazo (G2337) across the King James Bible.
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
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Common questions
Strong's G2337 (thelazo) is a Greek word that means: to suckle, give suck, Mt. 24:19; Mk. 13:17; Lk. 21:23; to suck, Mt. 21:16; Lk. 11:27* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word thelazo (G2337) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2337 is thelazo, a Greek word defined as: to suckle, give suck, Mt. 24:19; Mk. 13:17; Lk. 21:23; to suck, Mt. 21:16; Lk. 11:27*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
thelazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.