Brief Overview of ἀντιλέγω (Strong’s G483)

The Greek verb ἀντιλέγω (antilegō) means “to speak against” or “to contradict.” It is derived from the prefix ἀντί (anti), meaning “against,” and the verb λέγω (legō), meaning “to say” or “to speak.” Thus, ἀντιλέγω conveys the idea of opposing or countering a statement or argument through speech.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: According to Strong’s, ἀντιλέγω means “to speak against” or “to contradict.” It is used to describe the act of opposing or countering someone’s statement or position through verbal expression. Strong’s defines it specifically in contexts where there is an opposing or contrary statement made in response to another’s words.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG provides a more detailed definition, noting that ἀντιλέγω means “to speak against” or “to contradict.” It highlights the verb’s use in contexts where there is a direct verbal opposition to someone’s statements or arguments. BDAG emphasizes the notion of active verbal resistance or rebuttal.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ defines ἀντιλέγω as “to speak against” or “to dispute,” focusing on the act of verbally opposing or contradicting. The lexicon notes its application in contexts where the verb involves disputing or countering statements made by others.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀντιλέγω as meaning “to speak against,” “to contradict,” or “to dispute.” It is used in contexts where the verb indicates a verbal opposition or contradiction of someone else’s words or arguments.

In summary, ἀντιλέγω (antilegō) generally means “to speak against” or “to contradict,” reflecting verbal opposition or counter-argument. Strong’s provides the basic definition, while BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s offer more nuanced insights into its usage in contexts of verbal opposition and dispute.