Brief Overview of αἰχμαλωσία (G161)

The Greek word αἰχμαλωσία (aichmalosía) means “captivity” or “captivity of war.” It refers to the state of being taken captive, particularly in the context of warfare or conflict. This term denotes the condition of being held as a prisoner or captive, often following a military defeat or conquest.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

• G161 αἰχμαλωσία (aichmalosía): Strong’s defines this term as “captivity” or “captivity of war.” It describes the condition of being held as a prisoner or captive, especially in a military context. The term is used to denote the state of being captured and held by an enemy force. For example, it is used in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to describe the concept of spiritual captivity or bondage.

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• According to Thayer’s, αἰχμαλωσία means “captivity” or “captivity of war.” Thayer’s explains that this term refers to the state of being taken captive, typically in a military or conflict setting. It can also extend to metaphorical uses, such as spiritual or ideological captivity. Thayer’s highlights the term’s application in contexts involving both literal and figurative forms of captivity (e.g., 2 Corinthians 10:5).

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• BDB does not specifically cover αἰχμαλωσία. However, based on information from Strong’s and Thayer’s, the term can be understood as “captivity,” indicating a state of being held captive, particularly in wartime or conflict situations. The concept includes both physical imprisonment and metaphorical forms of being under control or influence.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon defines αἰχμαλωσία as “captivity” or “captivity of war.” It describes the condition of being held as a prisoner, especially in the context of military conflict. The term is used to denote the state of being captured and detained by an enemy force, and can also be applied metaphorically to indicate being under control or influence (e.g., 2 Corinthians 10:5). LSJ emphasizes both the literal and figurative uses of the term.

In summary, αἰχμαλωσία refers to the state of captivity or being held as a prisoner, particularly in a military context, and can also have metaphorical applications to describe various forms of bondage or control.