G4081 — Pēlos (Clay / Mud) | USMC Ministries Lexicon

G4081 · Greek · New Testament

Πηλος

Pēlos

Noun, Masculine

Clay / Mud

Definition

Clay or mud. Used of the clay Jesus made to anoint the blind man's eyes and of Paul's potter-and-clay analogy for God's sovereignty.

Usage & Theological Significance

Jesus made clay with His saliva and anointed the blind man's eyes (John 9:6) — using the very substance from which Adam was formed to restore sight. Paul asks: 'Shall what is formed say to the potter, Why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right over the clay?' (Romans 9:20-21). We are clay in the hands of the sovereign Potter.

Key Bible Verses

John 9:6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.

Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

John 9:11 He replied, 'The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes.'

Isaiah 64:8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Jeremiah 18:6 Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

Related Words

External Resources

📖 STEP Bible 📘 Blue Letter Bible 📗 Bible Hub (Interlinear + HELPS)