σκάνδαλον [4 verses](noun sg neut nom) "An offense" is skandalon, which means a "trap" or "snare" for an enemy. It is not Greek but based on the Hebrew and Aramaic word. This is one of the words that first occurs in the Greek version of the Old Testament from the Hebrew word for "noose" or "snare."  - The word translated as "offense" means a "trap" or "snare" for an enemy. It is not Greek but based on the Hebrew and Aramaic word. This is one of the words that first occurs in the Greek version of the Old Testament from the Hebrew word for "noose" or "snare." Maybe a more precise translation is "stumbling" block because the verb has the sense of "trip up." See the article on this word here.