Brief Overview of ἐρημόω (Strong’s G2049: erēmoō)

Introduction

Understanding the Greek word ἐρημόω (erēmoō) is crucial for Biblical studies as it conveys powerful imagery of destruction and desolation, often associated with divine judgment or the aftermath of war. This word provides insights into the spiritual, historical, and cultural contexts of the New Testament, where desolation often symbolizes divine retribution or the consequences of moral decline. In ancient Greek culture, the term also carried significant weight, describing not only physical devastation but also states of emotional or societal abandonment.

Key Information

The Greek Word: ἐρημόω (erēmoō) [eh-ray-MOH-oh]
Etymology: Derived from the root word ἔρημος (erēmos), which means “desert” or “desolate.” The verb form emphasizes the action of making something desolate or uninhabited.
Part of Speech: Verb; used in the future tense as ἐρημώσω (erēmōsō), aorist active as ἠρήμωσα (ērēmōsa), and in the passive voice as ἠρημώθην (ērēmōthēn).
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Primary Meanings

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To lay waste, devastate: Used to describe the destruction of cities, lands, or peoples, leaving them uninhabitable.
To desolate or depopulate: Implies a state of being abandoned or left empty, often following calamity or war.
To render barren or empty: A metaphorical sense indicating spiritual desolation or a lack of life.

Similar Words: ἐρήμεια (erēmeia) [eh-ray-MEE-ah], which also means “desolation” or “wilderness,” but is typically used as a noun to describe the state or condition of being desolate rather than the act of making something desolate as with ἐρημόω.

Further Insights: ἐρημόω is a verb primarily used in the aorist and future tenses, often appearing in both active and passive forms. Its usage conveys action related to making desolate or reducing to a wasteland. Here is a simplified conjugation table for the aorist and future indicative forms:

Tense	Person	Singular	Plural
Aorist	1st	ἠρήμωσα (ērēmōsa)	ἠρημώσαμεν (ērēmōsamen)
	2nd	ἠρήμωσας (ērēmōsas)	ἠρημώσατε (ērēmōsate)
	3rd	ἠρήμωσε (ērēmōse)	ἠρήμωσαν (ērēmōsan)
Future	1st	ἐρημώσω (erēmōsō)	ἐρημώσομεν (erēmōsomen)
	2nd	ἐρημώσεις (erēmōseis)	ἐρημώσετε (erēmōsete)
	3rd	ἐρημώσει (erēmōsei)	ἐρημώσουσι(ν) (erēmōsousin)

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
Defines ἐρημόω as “to make desolate” or “to devastate,” primarily in contexts where cities, lands, or peoples are destroyed, leaving them deserted or uninhabitable. The term is frequently associated with divine judgment or war, conveying a powerful sense of loss and ruin.

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Thayer’s Lexicon:
Describes ἐρημόω as “to lay waste” or “to render desolate.” It emphasizes both physical and metaphorical desolation, such as a spiritually barren state. It is often found in passages relating to divine retribution or the aftermath of calamities.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
Explains ἐρημόω as meaning “to desolate, lay waste, or devastate.” The term is used metaphorically to indicate spiritual desolation or judgment, often depicting the consequences of turning away from divine laws or moral principles.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
Notes that ἐρημόω signifies “to lay waste” or “to depopulate,” frequently appearing in classical Greek texts to describe both geographic and societal devastation. It is employed to highlight the results of war, famine, or other disasters.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Highlights ἐρημόω as meaning “to lay waste” or “make desolate.” The concordance points to its use in biblical passages where cities or lands are laid waste due to divine intervention or human actions, reinforcing its themes of abandonment and ruin.

Related Scripture References

Luke 21:20: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation [ἐρήμωσις] is near.”
The term ἐρήμωσις here is derived from ἐρημόω, indicating the coming devastation of Jerusalem.
Revelation 18:17: “For in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste [ἠρημώθη].”
The word ἠρημώθη is the passive form of ἐρημόω, emphasizing the sudden and complete devastation described in the vision.

Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English Text
Herodotus	Histories	“The invading army laid waste [ἐρήμωσαν] to the city, leaving no stone unturned.”
Thucydides	History of the Peloponnesian War	“The land was devastated [ἐρήμωσε] by the enemy, leaving it barren and lifeless.”
Euripides	The Trojan Women	“All has been destroyed, the fields left desolate [ἐρημώθησαν] by war’s cruel hand.”
Septuagint	Isaiah 6:11	“Then I said, ‘Lord, how long?’ And He answered, ‘Until cities are laid waste [ἐρημωθῇ] and without inhabitant.'”
Septuagint	Jeremiah 4:7	“A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations; he has gone out to make your land a waste [ἐρημώσει].”
Septuagint	Ezekiel 12:20	“The inhabited cities will be laid waste [ἐρημωθήσονται], and the land will become a desolation.”

Summary of ἐρημόω (G2049: erēmoō)

The Greek word ἐρημόω (erēmoō) is a powerful verb that means “to make desolate” or “to devastate.” It is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts throughout the Bible and classical literature to depict the aftermath of divine judgment, war, or other disasters. The term provides deep insights into the spiritual and physical states described in biblical texts, where desolation symbolizes both punishment and a call for repentance. The word’s usage across various texts emphasizes the seriousness of desolation and abandonment, reflecting the consequences of both divine judgment and human action.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Greek word ἐρημόω (erēmoō) is often used to describe not just physical destruction but also spiritual desolation? In the Bible, desolation is not only a literal state of ruin but also a metaphor for spiritual emptiness, inviting reflection on the conditions that lead to such devastation.