δυσερμήνευτος

Pronunciation Guide: doos-er-MAY-nyoo-tos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1421: δυσερμήνευτος describes something that is difficult to explain, interpret, or express clearly in words. It refers to concepts or teachings that are challenging to articulate or comprehend fully, not due to their being nonsensical, but rather because of their profound depth or complexity that exceeds conventional language. In biblical context, it often relates to spiritual truths that require divine illumination to properly understand.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Root Components: δυσ- (dys-, “difficult, hard”) + ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneuō, “to interpret, explain”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Epistolary literature (letters), specifically in teaching contexts
• Rare in New Testament: Appears only once (hapax legomenon)

δυσερμήνευτος Morphology:

• δυσερμήνευτος (nominative singular masculine/feminine) – difficult to explain
• δυσερμήνευτον (accusative singular masculine/feminine/neuter) – difficult to explain (as direct object)
• δυσερμηνεύτου (genitive singular) – of that which is difficult to explain
• δυσερμηνεύτῳ (dative singular) – to/for that which is difficult to explain

Origin & History

The term δυσερμήνευτος comes from combining the prefix δυσ- (indicating difficulty, hardship, or badness) with derivatives of ἑρμηνεύω (to interpret or explain). The verb ἑρμηνεύω traces back to the Greek god Hermes, who served as the messenger of the gods and interpreter of divine messages in Greek mythology. This connection highlights the word’s association with divine communication requiring interpretation.

In classical Greek literature, forms of this word family appear in works by Plato and Xenophon when discussing concepts difficult to articulate clearly. The Septuagint (LXX) rarely uses this specific term, though related words from the same root appear when translating passages about interpreting dreams or visions, as in Daniel’s interpretations of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. Early church fathers like Origen and Clement of Alexandria employed this word when discussing the more profound and mystical aspects of Scripture that required spiritual discernment beyond mere intellectual comprehension.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A concept or teaching that is exceptionally difficult to explain adequately
• Truth that resists simple articulation due to its profound spiritual depth
• Something requiring divine illumination to properly understand
• Communication that is challenging to convey clearly in human language
• Knowledge that exceeds conventional expression capabilities

δυσερμήνευτος Translation Options:

• Hard to explain – Emphasizes the speaker’s difficulty in articulating the concept clearly to others
• Difficult to interpret – Focuses on the receiver’s challenge in making proper sense of the information
• Not easily expressed – Highlights the limitations of language to fully capture the meaning
• Hard to put into words – Suggests the concept’s depth exceeds conventional linguistic capabilities
• Complex to articulate – Indicates the multifaceted nature of the truth being communicated

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δυσερμήνευτος appears only once in Hebrews 5:11, where the author is discussing the priesthood of Melchizedek and its relationship to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). The writer states: “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain [δυσερμήνευτος], since you have become dull of hearing.” This usage demonstrates the word’s application to profound theological concepts that require spiritual maturity and divine illumination to grasp properly.

The author of Hebrews employs this term at a pivotal moment in the epistle, transitioning from foundational teachings to “solid food” meant for the spiritually mature. The difficulty in explanation stems not merely from the intrinsic complexity of the subject matter but is compounded by the recipients’ spiritual immaturity and dullness of hearing. This reveals an important principle about δυσερμήνευτος concepts in Scripture: the challenge often lies not only in the profound nature of divine truth but also in the spiritual condition of those receiving it.

• “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain [δυσερμήνευτος], since you have become dull of hearing.” Hebrews 5:11

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish education, particularly in rabbinic training, teachers were expected to present material according to the capacity of their students. This pedagogical principle appears in various rabbinic writings, including the Mishnah and Talmud. The concept of δυσερμήνευτος would have resonated with Jewish readers familiar with the idea that certain Torah teachings were considered סוד (sod) – mystery or secret – requiring special preparation and spiritual maturity to comprehend.

The Jewish mystical tradition recognized multiple levels of textual interpretation, with the deepest level (sod) believed to contain mysteries that could not be easily articulated in ordinary language. This parallels the use of δυσερμήνευτος in Hebrews, suggesting that the author was drawing on this cultural understanding to explain why certain Messianic teachings about Melchizedek required spiritual maturity to grasp. Just as the Holy of Holies in the Temple was accessible only to the properly prepared high priest, some divine truths were considered accessible only to those spiritually prepared to receive them.

Theological Significance

The presence of δυσερμήνευτος in Scripture testifies to the transcendent nature of divine truth, which often exceeds the boundaries of human language and understanding. This reminds us that Yahweh’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). The difficulty in explaining certain biblical concepts doesn’t indicate their irrationality but rather their suprarational nature – truths that don’t contradict reason but transcend its limitations.

This word also reveals God’s pedagogical wisdom in progressive revelation, providing milk before solid food, foundational truths before deeper mysteries. The fact that some divine truths are δυσερμήνευτος (difficult to explain) showcases both God’s transcendence and His condescension – He communicates truths that surpass human comprehension while accommodating His revelation to our limited capacity. This reflects His character as both the infinitely wise Creator and the compassionate Teacher who meets us where we are while calling us to mature spiritually so we can grasp more of His infinite wisdom.

Personal Application

When we encounter δυσερμήνευτος passages in Scripture – those difficult to explain or fully comprehend – we should approach them with humility rather than frustration. These challenging texts invite us to deepen our spiritual maturity and dependence on the Holy Spirit’s illumination rather than relying solely on intellectual capacity. Perhaps the very presence of such difficulty is God’s invitation to move beyond surface-level engagement with His Word.

In our discipleship journey, we might benefit from asking ourselves: “Am I content with spiritual milk, or am I developing the capacity for solid food? Are there truths I find δυσερμήνευτος not because they are inherently incomprehensible, but because I have become ‘dull of hearing’?” By embracing the challenge of wrestling with difficult biblical concepts rather than avoiding them, we participate in God’s transformative process of spiritual maturation that enables us to comprehend more fully the depths of His revelation.

Related Words

• ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneuō, “to interpret”) – The root verb from which δυσερμήνευτος derives, meaning to translate, interpret or explain something from one language or form into another. While δυσερμήνευτος points to difficulty in explanation, ἑρμηνεύω emphasizes the active process of making meaning clear. See G2059
• διερμηνεύω (diermēneuō, “to explain thoroughly”) – An intensified form of ἑρμηνεύω that indicates complete or thorough interpretation. Unlike δυσερμήνευτος which focuses on difficulty, διερμηνεύω emphasizes comprehensive explanation, often used for interpreting Scripture. See G1329
• μεθερμηνεύω (methermēneuō, “to translate”) – Specifically refers to translating from one language to another, rather than the broader concept of interpretation. Where δυσερμήνευτος refers to conceptual difficulty in explanation, μεθερμηνεύω addresses linguistic transfer. See G3177
• δυσνόητος (dysnoētos, “hard to understand”) – While δυσερμήνευτος focuses on difficulty in explanation from the speaker’s perspective, δυσνόητος emphasizes difficulty in comprehension from the hearer’s perspective, used by Peter to describe some of Paul’s writings. See G1425
• ἀπόρρητος (aporrētos, “unspeakable”) – Refers to things forbidden to speak or impossible to express, going beyond δυσερμήνευτος (difficult to explain) to indicate something that cannot or should not be uttered at all. See G731

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, derivatives of the ἑρμηνεύω word family are still used in academic and legal contexts, with “hermeneutics” (ἑρμηνευτική) referring to the discipline of interpretation, particularly of texts. The persistence of this word family across millennia demonstrates the enduring human challenge of interpreting and explaining complex ideas, especially those with spiritual significance.
• The concept of δυσερμήνευτος played a significant role in the development of early Christian theology, as church fathers wrestled with explaining profound mysteries like the Trinity, the dual nature of the Messiah, and other doctrines that transcended simple explanation. Theological controversies often centered around concepts that were genuinely δυσερμήνευτος, reminding us that difficulty in explanation doesn’t necessarily indicate error but may reflect the transcendent nature of divine truth.
• The Jewish interpretive tradition that would have informed the original readers of Hebrews identified four levels of textual meaning represented by the acronym PaRDeS: Peshat (simple/literal meaning), Remez (allegorical meaning), Drash (comparative meaning), and Sod (secret/mysterious meaning). The δυσερμήνευτος teachings about Melchizedek would have been understood as operating at the deeper levels of Drash and Sod, requiring spiritual maturity to properly interpret and apply.

Remember This

δυσερμήνευτος reminds us that God’s truth often transcends our ability to fully articulate it—not because it’s untrue, but because it’s too magnificent to be contained in the limited vessel of human language.