Brief Overview of ἀποθησαυρίζω (G597)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek verb ἀποθησαυρίζω (apothēsaurizō) means “to store up” or “to lay up treasure.” It refers to the action of accumulating or amassing valuable things, often with the implication of setting them aside for future use.
• Contextual Usage: This term is used to describe the act of gathering or storing treasures, whether material wealth or figurative assets like good deeds or spiritual rewards.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G597): Strong’s defines ἀποθησαυρίζω as “to store up,” “to treasure up,” or “to accumulate.” It is used to denote the action of amassing valuables, whether material or immaterial.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀποθησαυρίζω as “to store up,” “to treasure,” or “to accumulate.” It highlights its use in both literal and metaphorical senses, including the storage of physical wealth and the accumulation of spiritual or moral assets.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποθησαυρίζω as “to store up” or “to treasure up.” It is used to describe the accumulation or gathering of valuables, emphasizing both the act of collecting and the intent to preserve.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ describes ἀποθησαυρίζω as “to lay up” or “to treasure.” It refers to the action of collecting and storing valuables, with a focus on the idea of keeping things in reserve for future use.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἀποθησαυρίζω appears in passages such as Matthew 6:19-20 and Luke 12:21, where it refers to the act of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. These passages use the term metaphorically to emphasize the importance of accumulating spiritual rewards and living a life that aligns with divine values.

In summary, ἀποθησαυρίζω (G597) translates to “to store up” or “to lay up treasure,” and is used to describe the act of accumulating or amassing valuables. Lexicons and biblical references illustrate its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts, emphasizing the importance of storing up spiritual treasures and aligning with divine values.