Brief Overview of ἀντί (Strong’s G473)

The Greek preposition ἀντί (anti) is commonly translated as “against” or “instead of.” It signifies opposition or substitution and is used to denote a relationship where one thing is in place of or in contrast to another. The term can convey various nuances, including exchange, opposition, or equivalence, depending on the context in which it is used.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀντί as “against” or “instead of,” indicating its use to express opposition, substitution, or equivalence. This preposition is used to denote the idea of one thing being in place of or in contrast to another.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG provides a comprehensive description of ἀντί, noting its use to express substitution (“instead of”), opposition (“against”), or equivalence in various contexts. BDAG emphasizes that ἀντί can imply a replacement or an adversarial relationship depending on the situation.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ defines ἀντί as “against,” “in place of,” or “instead of,” highlighting its versatile usage in expressing contrast, substitution, or opposition. LSJ notes that ἀντί is often used in contexts where one element is positioned as a counterpoint or replacement for another.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀντί as “instead of,” “in place of,” or “against,” and discusses its application in expressing various forms of substitution or opposition. Thayer’s provides examples of how ἀντί is used to indicate a reciprocal relationship or a countering position.

In summary, ἀντί (anti) is a preposition meaning “against,” “instead of,” or “in place of.” Strong’s provides a foundational definition, while BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s offer detailed explanations of its use to convey opposition, substitution, or equivalence, depending on the context.