Brief Overview of ἀντιστρατεύομαι (Strong’s G497)

The Greek verb ἀντιστρατεύομαι (antistrateuomai) means “to make war against” or “to oppose in a military sense.” It is used to describe the act of opposing or contending against something, often in a military or strategic context. The term involves an engagement or confrontation, suggesting a form of resistance or conflict.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀντιστρατεύομαι means “to make war against” or “to oppose.” It is used in the New Testament to describe opposition or resistance in a context that involves strategic or military confrontation. The term implies a direct and active form of resistance.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG provides a detailed definition, noting that ἀντιστρατεύομαι means “to make war against” or “to oppose in battle.” The lexicon highlights its usage in contexts where an individual or group engages in a military or strategic opposition against others, emphasizing the term’s application in a more specific and combative context.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ provides additional context for ἀντιστρατεύομαι, indicating that it means “to make war against” or “to contend against” in a military sense. The lexicon includes examples of the term used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe opposition or resistance.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s confirms that ἀντιστρατεύομαι means “to make war against” or “to oppose.” The lexicon notes its usage in the New Testament to describe instances of active resistance or opposition, particularly in a strategic or combative sense.

In summary, ἀντιστρατεύομαι (antistrateuomai) is a verb meaning “to make war against” or “to oppose,” often used in contexts involving strategic or military resistance. Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s all highlight its role in describing active confrontation or opposition, particularly in combative or strategic situations.