Original Word: θηλάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thélazó
Pronunciation: thay-LAH-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (thay-lad'-zo)
Definition: To nurse, to suckle, to breastfeed
Meaning: (a) I give suck, (b) I suck.

to suckle, suck.

From thele (the nipple); to suckle, (by implication) to suck -- (give) suck(-ling).

Cognate: 2337 thēlázō – to nurse (suck milk). See 2338 (thēlys).

Word Origin
from thélé (a nipple)
Definition
to suckle
NASB Translation
nursed (1), nursing babies (4).

STRONGS NT 2337: θηλάζω

θηλάζω; 1 aorist ἐθήλασα; (θηλή a breast (cf. Peile, Etym., p. 124f));

1. transitive, to give the breast, give suck, to suckle: Matthew 24:19; Mark 13:17; Luke 21:23 (Lysias, Aristotle, others; the Sept. for הֵינִיק); μαστοί ἐθήλασαν, Luke 23:29 R G.

2. intransitive, to suck: Matthew 21:16 (Aristotle, Plato, Lucian, others; the Sept. for יָנַק); μαστούς, Luke 11:27; Job 3:12; Song of Solomon 8:1; Joel 2:16; Theocritus, 3:16.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word θηλή (thēlē), meaning "a nipple" or "breast."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 3243: יָנַק (yanaq) • to suck, to nurse, to give milk.
• Strong's Hebrew 5764: עוּל (ul) • to suckle, to nurse.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the act of nursing and are used in the Old Testament to describe both literal and metaphorical nurturing relationships.

Usage: The verb θηλάζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of nursing or breastfeeding, often in the context of maternal care and nurturing.

Context: The Greek verb θηλάζω appears in several passages within the New Testament, illustrating the natural and intimate act of nursing. This term is used both literally and metaphorically to convey themes of care, sustenance, and dependency.

In the Gospel of Matthew, θηλάζω is used in the context of Jesus' teachings about the end times: "How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!" (Matthew 24:19, BSB). Here, the term highlights the vulnerability and challenges faced by mothers during times of distress.

Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses the term in a prophetic warning: "Woe to those who are pregnant and nursing in those days!" (Luke 21:23, BSB). This usage underscores the difficulties that will accompany the prophesied tribulations.

The verb also appears in a more positive light in Luke 11:27, where a woman in the crowd exclaims, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!" (BSB). This statement reflects the honor and blessing associated with motherhood and the nurturing role of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The act of nursing, as expressed by θηλάζω, serves as a powerful symbol of the intimate bond between mother and child, as well as the provision of life-sustaining nourishment. It is a vivid illustration of God's care and provision for His people, often used metaphorically to describe spiritual nourishment and growth.

εθήλαζεν εθήλασα εθήλασαν εθηλασας εθήλασας ἐθήλασας εθήλασε θηλάζει θηλάζοντα θηλάζοντος θηλαζοντων θηλαζόντων θηλαζουσαις θηλαζούσαις θηλαζούσας θηλάζων θηλάσαι θηλάσει θηλάσειεν θηλάσεις θηλάσητε θήλασόν θηλυκού θηλυμανείς ethelasas ethēlasas ethḗlasas thelazonton thelazónton thēlazontōn thēlazóntōn thelazousais thelazoúsais thēlazousais thēlazoúsaisInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts