Original Word: σκῦλον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: skulon
Pronunciation: SKOO-lon
Phonetic Spelling: (skoo'-lon)
KJV: spoil
NASB: plunder
Word Origin: [neuter from G4660 (σκύλλω - trouble)]

1. something stripped (as a hide), i.e. booty

spoil.

Neuter from skullo; something stripped (as a hide), i.e. Booty -- spoil.

see GREEK skullo

Word Origin
perhaps from skulló
Definition
arms stripped from a foe, i.e. spoils
NASB Translation
plunder (1).

STRONGS NT 4661: σκῦλον

σκῦλον (Rbez G L T WH) also σκῦλον ((so Rst elz Tr) cf. Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 44), σκυλου, τό (from the obsolete σκύω, 'to pull off', allied to ξύω, ξύλον (but cf. Curtius, § 113; Vanicek, p. 1115));

a. a (beast's) skin stripped off, a pelt.

b. the arms stripped off from an enemy, spoils: plural Luke 11:22. (Sophocles, Thucydides, and following; the Sept..)

Definition and Concept of Spoils

In Scripture the idea of “spoils” refers to goods, weapons, or riches stripped from a defeated enemy and redistributed by the victor. While the term appears only once in the Greek New Testament, the theme pervades the whole canon, functioning as both a literal description of warfare and a spiritual metaphor for triumph.

New Testament Usage (Luke 11:22)

Luke 11:22: “But when someone stronger attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.”

Here the “plunder” depicts the possessions of the “strong man” (a picture of Satan). Jesus portrays Himself as the One “stronger,” stripping the enemy of his defenses and distributing what had been held in bondage. The verse is not merely an anecdote about exorcism; it foreshadows Christ’s decisive victory over the kingdom of darkness.

Old Testament Background

1. Israel’s battles: From the Exodus (Exodus 12:36) to David’s campaigns (1 Samuel 30:16-20) and Jehoshaphat’s miraculous victory (2 Chronicles 20:25), the Lord repeatedly provided spoils to His people, reinforcing that victory and provision come from Him.
2. Divine ownership: Certain spoils were declared “devoted” (Joshua 6:17-19), underscoring God’s sovereign rights. Achan’s confiscation of banned items (Joshua 7) shows the peril of coveting what belongs to God.
3. Prophetic anticipation: “He shall divide the spoil with the strong” (Isaiah 53:12) hints at the Messianic Servant’s future conquest.

Theological Significance: Christ the Victor

Luke 11:22 is illuminated by later apostolic teaching:

• Colossians 2:15: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
• Ephesians 4:8 (citing Psalm 68:18): “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

Together these passages show Christ stripping demonic powers of their “armor,” leading a victory procession, and redistributing the spoils as spiritual gifts to the Church.

Believer’s Participation

1. Sharing the inheritance: Romans 8:17 presents believers as “heirs with Christ,” beneficiaries of His conquest.
2. Mission as plundering: Evangelism rescues souls from Satan’s domain (Colossians 1:13) and claims them for the kingdom.
3. Spiritual gifts: The distributed “plunder” becomes the varied grace endowments (1 Corinthians 12) used to build up the body.

Warnings Concerning Illicit Spoils

Scripture balances celebration with caution:

• Achan (Joshua 7) and King Saul (1 Samuel 15) illustrate judgment for seizing forbidden spoil.
• Material plunder must never eclipse devotion; the greater treasure is “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4).

Historical and Cultural Notes

In Greco-Roman warfare, σκῦλον denoted arms stripped from fallen foes and displayed in temples or triumphal parades. Luke’s audience would picture a general publicly showcasing captured armor—mirroring Christ’s open humiliation of spiritual powers.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Deliverance ministry: Confidence that Christ already removed the enemy’s armor encourages prayer for liberation.
• Stewardship: All resources—material or spiritual—come from the Victor; they are to be managed, not hoarded.
• Perseverance: Knowing the battle is won enables joyful endurance when earthly goods are confiscated (compare Hebrews 10:34).

Eschatological Outlook

The final distribution of spoils awaits the consummation of Christ’s reign. Revelation 22:12 promises reward proportionate to faithful service. What begins in Luke 11:22 culminates when every enemy is subdued and the saints possess the fullness of the kingdom (Daniel 7:27).

Thus Strong’s Greek 4661, though appearing only once, opens a rich biblical tapestry: from ancient battlefields to the cross, from the Church’s mission to the coming glory, the divine Victor strips the enemy and showers His people with everlasting spoil.

σκυλα σκυλά σκύλα σκῦλα σκύλοις σκύλων σκύμνοι σκύμνοις σκύμνος σκύμνου σκύμνους σκύμνων σκυτάλαις σκυτάλας σκυτάλην σύμνος skula skyla skŷlaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts