Brief Overview of ἑορτάζω (Strong’s G1858: heortazō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for grasping the full meaning of the New Testament texts. The Greek word ἑορτάζω (heortazō), meaning “to celebrate a feast,” is particularly significant in understanding Jewish and early Christian practices of worship and communal gatherings. This term provides insight into how festivals and holy days were observed, reflecting broader themes of community, tradition, and spirituality in ancient Greek culture and early Christianity.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἑορτάζω (heortazō) [he-or-TA-zo]
• Etymology: Derived from ἑορτή (heortē), meaning “feast” or “festival,” with the verb-forming suffix -άζω, indicating an action related to celebrating or observing a feast.
• Part of Speech: Verb; used in the active voice.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To celebrate a feast: Refers to the act of celebrating or observing a religious festival.
• To keep a festival: Indicates the ongoing practice of maintaining or observing a holy day or feast.

Similar Words: The word ἑορτάζω (heortazō) is closely related to ἑορτή (heortē) [he-or-TAY], meaning “feast” or “festival.” While heortē is a noun referring to the feast itself, heortazō is the verb that denotes the action of celebrating that feast. Another related word is πανηγυρίζω (panēgyrizō) [pa-nay-ghee-REE-zo], which also means “to celebrate” but often implies a more public or national celebration, rather than a specifically religious one.

Further Insights: The verb ἑορτάζω (heortazō) is derived from ἑορτή (heortē), emphasizing the action or observance of a feast or festival. It is often used in the context of Jewish feasts or early Christian celebrations. Morphologically, heortazō follows a standard conjugation pattern for Greek verbs ending in -άζω. It would be useful to study this verb in its different forms to understand its usage fully.

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines ἑορτάζω (heortazō) as “to celebrate a festival or feast.” It is commonly used in contexts referring to Jewish and Christian holy days and rituals. It underscores the community aspect of these celebrations, emphasizing shared religious and cultural practices.

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Thayers: Notes that ἑορτάζω (heortazō) means “to keep a feast,” primarily used in the New Testament to denote the observance of significant religious feasts, such as Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. The term carries implications of communal gathering and worship.

Vines: Explains ἑορτάζω (heortazō) as “to celebrate a feast day,” particularly in the context of prescribed religious observances in Jewish tradition. It often reflects not just the celebration itself but also the spiritual significance of keeping these feasts.

LSJ: In classical usage, ἑορτάζω (heortazō) is used broadly to mean “celebrate a festival,” not limited to religious contexts but also including civic or cultural celebrations. It emphasizes the collective action of a community in observance.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἑορτάζω (heortazō) as a verb meaning “to observe a festival.” The term is related to ἑορτή (heortē), reinforcing the concept of maintaining traditional observances and celebrating key religious events.

Related Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 5:8: “Therefore let us celebrate the feast (ἑορτάζω), not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
• John 7:8: “Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast (ἑορτάζω) because My time has not yet fully come.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἑορτάζω (G1858: heortazō)

The Greek verb ἑορτάζω (heortazō), meaning “to celebrate a feast,” is central to understanding the communal and spiritual life of both Jewish and early Christian traditions. Its usage in the New Testament and classical literature underscores the importance of shared religious and cultural observances. From a linguistic perspective, its connection to the noun ἑορτή (heortē) provides a deeper appreciation of how actions and rituals are linguistically framed in Greek texts.

Did You Know?

The verb ἑορτάζω (heortazō) is not just limited to religious contexts. In ancient Greece, it was also used to describe national celebrations and games. This word, therefore, provides a window into how both sacred and secular life were celebrated in the ancient world, showing the interconnectedness of religious worship and social unity.