Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
πλαξ
The noun πλαξ (plax) describes anything flat (2 Corinthians 3:3 and Hebrews 9:4 only). In the classics this word may refer to flat and plain land or the flat of the ocean or a flat hill top. It could refer to slabs of marble or any flat tablet or plate of stone or a metal like gold.
This word stems from the PIE root "pleks-", to fold or weave, which appears to be an extension of the PIE root from which came the adjective πλατυς (platus), meaning broad or wide, but does not seem to share this latter word's additional clause of rudeness or populism (whence Jesus' pun on the name Plato: Matthew 7:13). Our noun πλαξ (plax) is closely related to the English word flake and the Dutch word vlak, meaning smooth surface.
πλεκω
The verb πλεκω (pleko) means to braid, plait or knit — hence the English word plexus and the -plex suffix of words like complex and duplex. It stems from the same PIE root as the above, and is used in the classics to denote anything braided or plaited: hair, rope, baskets (see σπειρα, speira, anything twisted), but figuratively anything complicated, concocted or devised, particularly of dramatic theatre pieces. Our verb occurs in the New Testament in Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17 and John 19:2 only, consistently in reference to the plaited crown of thorns that the Roman soldiers made Jesus wear.
Note that weaving was the first real technology that early humans developed, and that weaving typically involves the bringing together of various strands of previously produced synthetic items (various yarns made from wool from domesticated sheep) by means of an elaborate piece of complex technology into intricate and pleasing and expressive designs.
Human words, and especially written ones, and literary tropes and archetypes are likewise such strands that are brought together into pleasing designs. From the PIE root that specifically denotes weaving, namely "tek-" come the English words technology, textile and most significantly, text. Also the name of Jesus' human profession comes from this root: τεκτων (tekton), assembler, from the verb τικτω (tikto), to beget. Noun τεκνον (teknon) means child: hence "you wove me in my mother's womb", Psalm 139:13. In this regard it is prudent to remember that "God is not concerned with oxen" (1 Corinthians 9:9): likewise he is not concerned with wool and carpet designs.
From this verb πλεκω (pleko), to braid or weave, derive:
- Together with the preposition εν (en), meaning in, on, at or by: the verb εμπλεκω (empleko), meaning to braid in or into, to entangle (2 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 2:20 only). In the classics this verb is predominantly used figuratively, to describe being embroiled in complex (usually negative) affairs, of having one's hand proverbially caught in someone else's clothing, of being deployed (as a soldier) in some other or foreign regiment, or to concoct by especially subtle scheming. From this verb in turn comes:
- The noun εμπλοκη (emploke), meaning an inter-braiding, and entanglement (1 Peter 3:3 only).
- The noun πλεγμα (plegma), denoting anything braided or entangled (1 Timothy 2:9 only). In the classics this word refers to any sort of plaited work, wreaths, garlands, plaited hair, but also complex speech: the proper braiding of certain verbs with matching nouns, in contrary to nonsensical or incorrect blabbering.