[Greek] πυγμή (pygmē), [Latin] pugnus, [French] poing: fist, clenched hand; Mk.7:3
A statue of a boxer at rest wearing leather strapped boxing gloves.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term can mean boxing (athletic contest), fist, fight, measure of length (distance from the elbow to the knuckles [1 ½ feet long]), and diminutive person. Homer’s Illiad makes references to short people in Oceanus (in present day Congo and Uganda). Aristophanes’ Wasps 1384 states “One day at Olympia I saw Euphudion boxing bravely against Ascondas; he was already aged, and yet, with a blow from his fist he knocked down his young opponent.” Plato’s Gorgias 456d states “For other exercises are not to be used against all and sundry, just because one has learnt boxing, wrestling, or fighting in armor so well as to vanquish friend or foe alike, this gives no one right to strike one’s friends or stab them to death.”
Boxing: The historian Philostratus claims that boxing (pygmachia) was developed in Sparta in order to harden the warriors’ faces for battle. In Homer’s Illiad, boxing was among the games that were held in honor of Achilles’ slain friend Patroclus. It was in honor of Patroclus that boxing was introduced into the ancient Olympic Games in 668 B.C. Boxers trained on punching bags filled with sand. Leather strips of ox hide were used to protect the boxer’s knuckles and hands.
Old Testament: This term means fist fighting and fighting. When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, not mortally, but enough to put him in bed (Exo.21:18). Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with the wicked claw (Isa.58:4). At Rephidim, Amalek came and waged war against Israel (Exo.17:8). Josephus’ Antiquities 14.210 states “It is also granted to Hyrcanus, and to his sons, and to the ambassadors by them sent to us, that in the fights between gladiators, and in those with the beasts, they shall sit among the senators to see these shows.”
New Testament: This term, occurring once, means fist or clenched hand. The Pharisees, like all Jews, must carefully wash their hands before eating any food. This practice is in part in keeping with the tradition of the elders. It is not absolutely clear whether or not this scripture passage refers a hand or fist. If this pertains to a fist, one would clean (or rub) the hand with a clenched fist up to the elbow.
Scripture:
“For the Pharisees, and in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.”
The Jews were more concerned with purification issues (what enters into the body) when consuming foods. However, Jesus states that what is more important is what comes out of one’s heart.
Conclusion:
Pygmy, pugilist, pungent, pugnacious, poignant
It was interesting to discover that this term is linked to small people and sharpness. Pliny, the Roman historian and naval commander, makes mention of diminutive dark small people (pygmies) in Africa. A pugilist is essentially a boxer who practices his craft (pugilism).
The Old Testament makes reference to this term in a more general sense of fighting. The New Testament narrowly defines this term as a hand. The Jews were more concerned about purification rituals pertaining to what goes into the body. Jesus states that what comes out of the person is what makes unclean.
We really must “hand it” to Jesus in His knowing that the source of sin and evil thoughts come from within.
Pungent originally meant sharp or pointed. This term is first coined as having a powerful odor (or taste) in the 1660’s. It is probably not surprising that physical blows (punches) and emotional “blows” can both be painful.
Pugnacious means combative or fond of fighting. This no doubt adequately describes a boxer with a clear connection to fists.
The French word for fist is poing. Poignant originally meant something physically painful (and sharp). Essentially, something poignant and/or someone’s fist can both be painful. I think you get the point!
👊 Fist Bump!