Proverb
παροιμίαStrong’s G3942paroimia
Appears in 4 verses of the New Testament
In short
Paroimia is the Greek word usually translated “allegory”, “allegories” and “proverb”. It appears in 4 verses of the New Testament.
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Meaning
Usually translated “allegory”, “allegories” and “proverb”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.
How it's translated
- allegory 2
- allegories 2
- proverb 1
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- John 3
- 2 Peter 1
2 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- John 10:6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
- John 16:25These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
- John 16:29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Greek dictionary
παροιμία paroimia · proverb
παροιμία, -ας, ἡ (πάροιμος, by the way), [in LXX. Pr title Pro.1:1 25:1, (מָשַׁל) subscr., Sir.6:35 8:8 18:29 39:3 47:17 * ;] 1. a wayside saying (Hesych.; see LS, see word), a byword, maxim, proverb: 2Pe.2:22. 2. In NT, of figurative discourse (as מָשַׁל, Isa.14:4, al.), a parable, allegory: Jhn.10:6 16:25, 29 (see Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.).† SYN.: παραβολή, q.v (AS)
From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “proverb” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
PROV'ERB, noun
[Latin proverbium; pro and verbum, a word.]
- A short sentence often repeated, expressing a well known truth or common fact, ascertained by experience or observation; a maxim of wisdom.
- A by-word; a name often repeated; and hence frequently, a reproach or object of contempt. Jeremiah 24:9
- In Scripture, it sometimes signifies a moral sentence or maxim that is enigmatical; a dark saying of the wise that requires interpretation. Proverbs 1:6
- Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims, rich in practical truths and excellent rules for the conduct of all classes of men.
All definitions and other forms of “proverb”
PROV'ERB, verb transitive
To mention in a proverb [Not in use.]
- To provide with a proverb [Not in use.]
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.