Brief Overview of Δαπανάω (G1159: Dapanáō)

Dapanáō (pronounced da-pa-NAH-oh, δαπανάω) is a Greek verb found under Strong’s Concordance number G1159. The word Dapanáō is derived from the root word δαπάνη (dapánē), meaning “cost” or “expense.” Dapanáō primarily means “to spend” or “to expend,” and it can refer to the use of resources, such as money or energy, often with the implication of a significant or exhaustive expenditure. The term can also carry the connotation of consuming or wasting resources, depending on the context in which it is used.

In its primary usage, Dapanáō refers to the act of spending or using up resources, whether for a necessary purpose or to achieve a specific goal. The word often conveys the idea of making sacrifices or investing significantly, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. In the New Testament, Dapanáō is used in both literal and metaphorical senses, emphasizing the commitment and sacrifice involved in following Christ or in ministry.

Scripture References

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1. Luke 15:14: “And when he had spent (δαπανήσαντος, dapanēsantos) everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.” This verse describes the prodigal son who exhausts his resources, highlighting the consequences of reckless spending.
2. 2 Corinthians 12:15: “I will most gladly spend (δαπανήσω, dapanēsō) and be spent (δαπανηθήσομαι, dapanēthēsomai) for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” Paul expresses his willingness to expend all his resources, even his own life, for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians.
3. Mark 5:26: “And who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent (δαπανήσασα, dapanēsasa) all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” This verse describes the woman with a bleeding condition who had spent all her money on ineffective treatments, showing the extent of her desperation.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Dapanáō is defined as “to spend” or “to expend,” with a focus on the use of resources, particularly in the sense of spending money or energy. BDAG emphasizes that Dapanáō often implies a significant or exhaustive expenditure, sometimes to the point of depletion. The lexicon notes that in the New Testament, the term is used both literally, as in the spending of money, and metaphorically, as in the giving of oneself for the sake of others.

Thayer’s Lexicon describes Dapanáō as “to spend” or “to expend,” highlighting the verb’s connection to the idea of using up resources. Thayer’s points out that Dapanáō can carry a positive connotation, such as spending resources for a worthy cause, or a negative one, such as wasting resources. The lexicon also notes that in biblical usage, Dapanáō is often associated with acts of sacrifice and selflessness, particularly in the context of ministry or caring for others.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon provides a broader historical context for Dapanáō, noting that the verb was commonly used in both everyday and literary Greek to describe the spending of money or resources. LSJ highlights that Dapanáō could be used in a neutral sense, simply indicating expenditure, or in a more loaded sense, implying waste or consumption. The lexicon also discusses the figurative use of the term in literature, where it can denote the consumption of energy or effort.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists Dapanáō as “to spend” or “to expend,” emphasizing its use in the New Testament to describe acts of spending resources, whether financial, physical, or spiritual. The concordance highlights the word’s association with sacrifice and the willingness to give of oneself for the benefit of others, particularly in the context of Christian ministry.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

Dapanáō appears in various classical Greek texts, often in the context of financial transactions, consumption, and expenditure.

1. Herodotus in his “Histories” uses Dapanáō to describe the expenditure of resources by rulers and governments, particularly in the context of wars and public works, emphasizing the significant costs involved in these endeavors.
2. Plato in his dialogue “The Republic” uses Dapanáō to discuss the consumption of wealth and resources in the context of luxury and the moral implications of spending, particularly in the pursuit of personal pleasure versus the common good.
3. Xenophon in his work “Oeconomicus” uses Dapanáō to describe the management of household expenses, highlighting the importance of prudent spending in maintaining economic stability and ensuring the well-being of the family.

Summary

Dapanáō (pronounced da-pa-NAH-oh, δαπανάω) is a Greek verb meaning “to spend” or “to expend,” derived from the root word δαπάνη (dapánē), meaning “cost” or “expense.” The term is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to describe the act of spending resources, whether financial, physical, or spiritual. In the New Testament, Dapanáō is associated with acts of sacrifice and commitment, particularly in the context of Christian ministry and the care of others. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ emphasize the significance of Dapanáō in conveying the idea of exhaustive expenditure, often for a worthy cause. In classical Greek literature, Dapanáō is frequently mentioned in discussions of financial management, consumption, and the moral implications of spending, reflecting its importance in both everyday life and philosophical thought. The term underscores the universal human experience of resource management and the ethical considerations that come with the use of one’s resources.