Biblical Word Etymology
The Etymology of “Flesh”
The biblical word “Flesh” traces back to Hebrew / Greek (basar (Hebrew), sarx (Greek)), where it meant “Bodily substance; human weakness and mortality; also kinship (same flesh)”. Across 3eras it evolved into the modern sense: “Soft tissue covering bones; the body in general; also kinship or family”.
How the Meaning Evolved
Ancient Hebrew/Greek
Hebrew / Greekbasar (Hebrew), sarx (Greek)Bodily substance; human weakness and mortality; also kinship (same flesh)
Hebrew basar (H1320) means 'flesh, meat, body, human nature'. Greek sarx (G4561) means 'flesh, body'. In NT, 'flesh' often contrasts with 'spirit' (Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 8:5-9).
Medieval Latin / Church
LatincaroThe material body; human nature in its weakness and sinful inclination; also carnal desire
Latin caro means 'flesh, meat, body'. Church teaching: flesh (caro) represents human weakness and sin nature; 'works of the flesh' are sins of bodily appetite and worldly desire.
Modern English
EnglishfleshSoft tissue covering bones; the body in general; also kinship or family
From Old English flæsc (Old Saxon flesk, Old High German fleisk). Entered English c.900. Retains literal meaning (body tissue) and theological meaning (sinful nature, 'the flesh').