Brief Overview of ἁρμόζω (G718: harmozō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: harmozō

Root Words:

• ἁρμόζω (harmozō): The term is derived from the root ἁρμός (harmos), meaning “joint” or “fitting together.”

Primary Meanings:

• To Fit Together: The primary meaning of ἁρμόζω is to “fit together” or “join together” as parts of a whole.
• To Adapt or Adjust: It also means to adapt or adjust something to fit properly, aligning with a certain standard or requirement.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG describes ἁρμόζω as “to fit together” or “to join together,” often used in contexts involving alignment or proper adjustment. It notes its application in both physical and metaphorical senses, indicating how components or elements are made to fit or work together.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon explains that ἁρμόζω means “to fit together” or “to adjust,” highlighting its use in arranging parts so that they function as a cohesive unit.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary supports the view of ἁρμόζω as “to fit together” or “to adjust,” emphasizing its relevance in ensuring that elements work in harmony or according to a specific design.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἁρμόζω as “to fit together” or “to adjust,” noting its application in various contexts where things are made to work well together or conform to a standard.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies ἁρμόζω as “to fit together” or “to adjust,” referencing its usage in ensuring that parts or elements align properly.

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Bible Verses:

• Ephesians 4:16 (KJV): “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
• This verse uses ἁρμόζω to describe how parts of the body fit together to work effectively in unity.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classical Greek literature, ἁρμόζω is used to describe the process of fitting or joining parts together. For example:

• Plato’s Timaeus (circa 360 BC): Plato uses the term to describe the harmonious arrangement of elements in the cosmos.
• Aristotle’s Politics (circa 350 BC): Aristotle employs the concept to discuss the fitting together of different social structures and roles.
• Homer’s Iliad (circa 8th century BC): Though the term itself may not appear, the concept of elements fitting together harmoniously is evident in the description of battle formations and strategies.

4. Summary:

ἁρμόζω (G718: harmozō) means “to fit together” or “to join together,” with connotations of arranging or adapting elements to work in harmony. Derived from the root ἁρμός (harmos), it conveys the idea of proper alignment or adjustment. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ all support this definition, focusing on its use in ensuring elements work cohesively. The term is used in Ephesians 4:16 to describe the unity and effective function of the body of Christ. Classic Greek literature illustrates its application in various contexts of fitting and aligning elements to achieve harmony.