Bible Lexicons

* * κνήθω

(late form of κνάω ),

1. to scratch.

2. to tickle; pass., to itch: 2 Timothy 4:3.†

The use of this rare Hellenistic verb in 2 Timothy 4:3 is well illustrated by Clem. Al. Strom. I. iii. 22. 5 (p. 15, ed. Stählin) κνήθοντες καὶ γαργαλίζοντες οὐκ ἀνδρικῶς, ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν, τὰς ἀκοὰς τῶν κνήσασθαι γλιχομένων, ";scratching and tickling, in what I consider an unmanly way, the ears of those who wish to be tickled,"; with reference to the ";jargon"; of the Sophists. For a new literary reference see Herodas iv. 51 ἔσσετ᾽ ἡμέρη κείνη, | ἐν ᾗ τὸ βρέγμα τοῦτο τὠσυρὲς κνήσῃ, ";the day will come when you will scratch your dirty poll"; : cf. for the Attic κνάω ib. viii. 8 τόν ]θρυζε καὶ κνῶ, ";grumble and scratch your head.";