κέντρον
kentron
Neuter noun · From kenteo (to prick)
From κεντέω kentéō (to prick); a point ("centre"), i.e. a sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse):—prick, sting.
Outline
- a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
- an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
- hence the proverb, "to kick against the goad", i.e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance