Said to a man who said that he will follow Jesus no matter where he goes.
Luke 9:58 Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Luke 9:58 Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
The vixens have dens and, the winged ones of the sky, perches. However, this son of the man doesn't have anywhere he might lean this head.
Jesus had very little rest during his pubic life.
This verse has a lot of uncommon words. The use of uncommon words is usually an indication that the meaning is humorous or a play on words. It has both a literal meaning we offer above but metaphorically it means something more.
The word translated as "foxes" means "fox". The word can be used either in masculine or feminine forms. Here it is feminine. In Greek as in English, it is a metaphor for a sly, crafty man or woman. The feminine form makes these people seem effeminate.
The Greek translated as "of the air" specifically means "sky". It is the word that the KJV translates most often as "heaven." It means the greater universe, God's creation outside of the planet. See this article for more on these words. This makes "winged one" (the word translated as "birds") a clear analogy to angels
The term translated as "head", it means "head" and "top" but also the completion of a thing (as we say, "bringing it to a head"). It is also a metaphor for life ("losing your head" in Greek doesn't mean an emotional outburst, but being killed).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "foxes" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "foxes" should be something more like "vixens."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "holes is the word usually translated as "dens."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "birds" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "air" is the word usually translated as "heaven" in the Gospels.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "have" doesn't exist in the source. There is no verb in this phrase.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "nests" should be something more like "resting place." It is not where eggs are laid.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lay" is not an infinitive but an active verb.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "this."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "foxes" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "foxes" should be something more like "vixens."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "holes is the word usually translated as "dens."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "birds" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "air" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "have" doesn't exist in the source. There is no verb in this phrase.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "nests" should be something more like "resting place." It is not where eggs are laid.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "place ."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lay" is not an infinitive but an active verb.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "this."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
Foxes --= (WW) The word translated as "foxes" means "fox" but the female form is used so the correct translation would be "vixen." The word can be used either in masculine or feminine forms. Here it is feminine. Jesus was saying something specific. In Greek as in English, it is a metaphor for a sly, crafty man or woman.
have - The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
holes, -- (CW) The term translated as "holes" means "den," or "lair," and interestingly enough, "schoolhouse."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
birds - The Greek word translated as "birds" is normally an adjective means "able to fly" and "winged," but it is used as a noun here, so "winged-ones" or, more simply, "birds." Jesus always uses this word to refer to birds generally, not the one of the more common normal Greek words that means "bird," but those other words are not used in the Septuagint.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
air -- (CW) The Greek translated as "of the air" specifically means "sky." It is the word that the KJV translates most often as "heaven." It means the greater universe, God's creation outside of the planet. See this article for more on these words.
have -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "have" in the Greek source.
nests; - (WW) The term translated as "have nests" is a noun primarily "camping." When applied to birds, it means a "perch" or "resting place." This is not any of the common Greek words for a bird's "nest."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - The word translated as "son" more generally means "child." It refers to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Christ also used it metaphorically to describe those that follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
man The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
hath - The word translated as "hath" (like the "have" above) means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
where -- The word translated as "where" means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb, it means "somewhere," "anywhere," and "perhaps." Jesus always seems to use it as "where."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to indicate the infinitive form of the verb, but the verb is not an infinitive. It is an active verb.
lay -- The term translated as "to lay" doesn't mean "lay" but "to make lean." In the passive, it means "to lean", "decline," or "to lay down." It is the source of the English terms "incline", "decline," and "recline." It could be either active or passive form. It is an uncommon word for Christ, but a form of it was just used in Matthew 8:11 to describe reclining at a meal.
his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "his."
head. -- The term translated as "head," it means "head" and "top" but also the completion of a thing (as we say, "bringing it to a head"). It is also a metaphor for life ("losing your head" in Greek doesn't mean an emotional outburst, but being killed).
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
Foxes --= (WW) The word translated as "foxes" means "fox" but the female form is used so the correct translation would be "vixen." The word can be used either in masculine or feminine forms. Here it is feminine. Jesus was saying something specific. In Greek as in English, it is a metaphor for a sly, crafty man or woman.
have - The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
holes, -- (CW) The term translated as "holes" means "den," or "lair," and interestingly enough, "schoolhouse."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
birds - The Greek word translated as "birds" is normally an adjective means "able to fly" and "winged," but it is used as a noun here, so "winged-ones" or, more simply, "birds." Jesus always uses this word to refer to birds generally, not the one of the more common normal Greek words that means "bird," but those other words are not used in the Septuagint.
missing "of"-- (MW) The genitive case of the following word requires the addition of an "of" in English.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
missing "sky" -- (MW) The untranslated word "sky" is the word that the KJV translates most often as "heaven." It means the greater universe, God's creation outside of the planet. See this article for more on these words.
have -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "have" in the Greek source.
nests; - (WW) The term translated as "have nests" is a noun primarily "camping." When applied to birds, it means a "perch" or "resting place." This is not any of the common Greek words for a bird's "nest."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - The word translated as "son" more generally means "child." It refers to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Christ also used it metaphorically to describe those that follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
man The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
has - The word translated as "has" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
place --(CW) The word translated as "place " means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb, it means "somewhere," "anywhere," and "perhaps." Jesus always seems to use it as "where." This is not the word usually translated as "place ."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to indicate the infinitive form of the verb, but the verb is not an infinitive. It is an active verb.
lay -- The term translated as "to lay" doesn't mean "lay" but "to make lean." In the passive, it means "to lean", "decline," or "to lay down." It is the source of the English terms "incline", "decline," and "recline." It could be either active or passive form. It is an uncommon word for Christ, but a form of it was just used in Matthew 8:11 to describe reclining at a meal.
his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "his."
head. -- The term translated as "head," it means "head" and "top" but also the completion of a thing (as we say, "bringing it to a head"). It is also a metaphor for life ("losing your head" in Greek doesn't mean an emotional outburst, but being killed).
Αἱ [821 verses](article noun pl fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
ἀλώπεκες [3 verses](noun pl fem nom) "Foxes" is from alopex, which means "fox," "Canis vulpes," "a large bat," "muscles of the loins," "mange," and "a type of dance."
φωλεοὺς [2 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Holes" is pholeos, which means "den," "caves," or "lair," referring to the homes of molluscs, serpents, and foxes, and animal homes in general. Interestingly enough, it also means "schoolhouse."
ἔχουσιν [181 verses] (3rd pl pres ind act) "Have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. The main sense when not having an object is "to hold" and "to keep." When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "it could," not "in must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
πετεινὰ [13 verses](adj pl neut nom ) "Birds" is peteinon, which as an adjective means "able to fly," "full-fledged," and "winged," and, as a noun, "winged fowl," and "a bird." There was clearly a conscious choice here not to use the Greek word for bird, which is ornis, or, in the diminutive, ornithion. All the English words referring to birds coming from Greek begin with this "ornith" prefix, including ornithology, the study of birds.
τοῦ [821 verses](article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οὐρανοῦ [111 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of the air" is from ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."
κατασκηνώσεις, [2 verses](noun pl fem nom) "Nests" is kataskenosis, which means "encamping," "taking up one's quarters," and "resting place (of birds)."
ὁ [821 verses] (article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
υἱὸς [157 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate. -- The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
ἔχει: [181 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "He hath" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. The main sense when not having an object is "to hold" and "to keep." When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "it could," not "in must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
ποῦ [12 verses] (pron or adv) "Wither" is pou, which means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb. it means "somewhere", "anywhere", "doubtless," and "perhaps." The forms are the same.
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "His" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
κεφαλῆς [12 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "Head" is kephale, which means "head of a man or beast," "an extremity," "the top," "the capital (top) of a pillar," "the coping of a wall," "the source of a rivalry," and, metaphorically the "crowning" or "completion" of a thing.
κλίνῃ. [2 verses](3rd sg pres subj act or 3rd sg aor subj act or 3rd sg aor subj pass) "To lay" is klino, which means to "cause to lean", "make to slope or slant", "turn aside", "make another recline", "make subservient," and "inflect. In the passive, it means to "lean", "stay oneself", "lie down", "fall," "decline," and "wane" and is a metaphor for "having devoted himself to," and "wander from the right course." It is the source of the English terms "incline," and "recline."
Christ is using birds as a metaphor for angels in contrast with those foxes, the sly crafty women.
The word for "head" also means "crowning".
The word translated as "to lay" means "recline" and "put aside".
"Sly, crafty women have their lairs. The angels of heaven have their camps. However, the son of man lacks anywhere to turn aside from his crowning."
This is common for Luke, but this is also one of the rare verses that agree word for word with Matthew.