παροιμίαparoimía
apparently a state alongside of supposition, i.e. (concretely) an adage; specially, an enigmatical or fictitious illustration
Greek (New Testament) · G3942
Meanings
1. a wayside saying, a byword, maxim, proverb: 2 Peter 2:22.
2. In NT, of figurative discourse (as מָשָׁל, Isaiah 14:4, and elsewhere), a parable, allegory: John 10:6, John 16:25, John 16:29.
Synonyms
παραβολή, see that word
Same root
- παράpará · G3844properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of)
- οἴομαιoíomai · G3633to make like (oneself), i.e. imagine (be of the opinion)
Where it appears
Appears 5 times in the Bible.
- John 10:6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,
- John 16:25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father.
- John 16:29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively.
- 2 Peter 2:22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.