Brief Overview of ἀπατάω (Strong’s G538)

The Greek word ἀπατάω (apatao) is a verb meaning “to deceive,” “to mislead,” or “to cheat.” It conveys the action of causing someone to believe something that is not true, often with the intention of leading them astray or misleading them in some way. The term emphasizes the act of deception or trickery.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀπατάω as “to deceive” or “to beguile.” This verb is used in contexts where someone is led into false beliefs or mistaken actions due to deception or trickery. It reflects an act of misleading someone by causing them to believe something that is false or incorrect.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG provides a detailed explanation of ἀπατάω, describing it as meaning “to deceive” or “to cheat.” The lexicon notes that ἀπατάω involves misleading someone to the point that they are led away from the truth or correct path. BDAG also indicates that the term can imply a more comprehensive sense of deception, often encompassing various methods of misleading someone.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ defines ἀπατάω as “to deceive” or “to lead astray.” The lexicon emphasizes its use in contexts where someone is intentionally misled or tricked. LSJ highlights that the term is used in a range of situations where deception is involved, from everyday interactions to more formal or significant scenarios.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀπατάω as meaning “to deceive” or “to mislead.” It emphasizes the role of this verb in causing someone to believe something that is not true, often through trickery or falsehood. Thayer’s provides examples of how ἀπατάω is used in the New Testament to illustrate the concept of deception in various contexts.

In summary, ἀπατάω (apatao) means “to deceive,” “to mislead,” or “to cheat.” Strong’s Concordance focuses on its general meaning of deception, while BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s offer broader insights into its use in contexts involving trickery or misleading actions. These sources collectively illustrate the term’s application in conveying acts of deceit and falsehood.