Introduction
The Greek word ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi) plays a significant role in understanding various contexts in the New Testament, especially regarding actions of giving, delivering, or yielding. This verb is particularly relevant for interpreting passages where transactions, transfers, or actions of yielding authority or responsibility are involved. Understanding ἐκδίδωμι not only sheds light on the New Testament’s textual nuances but also offers insights into ancient Greek culture, where the concept of giving or delivering something was deeply intertwined with social and legal obligations.
Key Information
- Greek Word: ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi) [ek-DEE-do-mee]
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐκ (ek), meaning “out of,” and δίδωμι (dídōmi), meaning “to give.” The compound thus means “to give out” or “to deliver.”
- Part of Speech: Verb (Present Active Indicative)
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon
Primary Meanings
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- To give out: The primary meaning of ἐκδίδωμι is to give out or to distribute something, often in the context of fulfilling a duty or obligation.
- To deliver: It can also mean to deliver, especially in a formal sense, such as delivering a message, a legal document, or even delivering someone into another’s custody.
- To yield or surrender: This word is also used to denote the action of yielding or surrendering something, particularly in legal or formal contexts.
Similar Words:
- παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi) [pa-ra-DEE-do-mee]: This word means to hand over, deliver, or entrust something or someone, often used in contexts of betrayal or legal handover.
- ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi) [a-po-DEE-do-mee]: Similar in meaning but focuses on giving back or restoring something to its rightful owner, often used in contexts of repayment or restitution.
Further Insights
- Morphology: ἐκδίδωμι is a verb that follows the μι-verb conjugation pattern in Greek, which includes reduplication in the present tense. It is often seen in various tenses, depending on the context of the action being described.
| Tense | Person | Singular | Plural | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | 1st | ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi) | ἐκδίδομεν (ekdídomen) | “I give out” |
| Present | 2nd | ἐκδίδως (ekdídōs) | ἐκδίδοτε (ekdídote) | “You deliver” |
| Present | 3rd | ἐκδίδωσι(ν) (ekdídōsi) | ἐκδιδόασι(ν) (ekdidoasin) | “They yield” |
Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Notes that ἐκδίδωμι primarily refers to giving out or distributing, often in contexts of legal or formal transactions. It highlights its use in the New Testament to denote the delivery of a person or message.
- Thayer’s: Emphasizes the legal and formal connotations of the word, such as delivering someone to justice or fulfilling an official duty.
- Vine’s: Discusses how ἐκδίδωμι is used in both secular and religious contexts to denote the action of giving out or delivering something of value or importance.
- LSJ: Provides examples of ἐκδίδωμι in classical literature, where it is used in contexts of delivering or yielding, often in political or legal scenarios.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἐκδίδωμι as meaning “to give out” or “to deliver,” with an emphasis on its usage in formal and legal contexts in the New Testament.
Scripture References:
- Matthew 21:41 – “He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out (ἐκδίδωμι) his vineyard unto other husbandmen.”
- Mark 12:1 – “And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out (ἐκδίδωμι) to husbandmen, and went into a far country.”
Classical Usage
In classical Greek literature, ἐκδίδωμι is often used to describe the action of delivering or yielding something of importance, whether it be property, authority, or legal responsibility. Below are examples from classical texts:
| Author | Work | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | “Histories” | “The king ἐκδίδωμι (delivered) the command to his generals.” |
| Xenophon | “Anabasis” | “The general ἐκδίδωμι (gave out) the orders for the march.” |
| Aristotle | “Politics” | “The city ἐκδίδωμι (yielded) its sovereignty to the conqueror.” |
Summary of ἐκδίδωμι (G1554: ekdídōmi)
The Greek word ἐκδίδωμι is a versatile verb that holds significant importance in understanding the nuances of giving, delivering, and yielding in the New Testament. Its usage encompasses both formal and informal contexts, from delivering messages to yielding authority or responsibility. By exploring the meaning and usage of ἐκδίδωμι, readers gain a richer understanding of the social and legal obligations in ancient Greek culture, as well as the theological implications of the word in the context of the New Testament.
Did You Know?
In ancient Greek society, the action of ἐκδίδωμι often involved legal or formal transactions, such as leasing property or delivering a legal verdict. This word’s usage in the New Testament reflects the importance of fulfilling duties and obligations, whether in a religious or societal context, highlighting the interconnectedness of law, society, and faith in the ancient world.
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