Brief Overview of ἱεροσυλέω (Strong’s G2416: hierosyleō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies provides deep insight into the meanings and contexts that are often lost in translation. The Greek word ἱεροσυλέω (hierosyleō) is particularly significant because it carries a legal and moral weight in both ancient Greek and New Testament contexts. It describes a specific action that involves sacrilege or the desecration of sacred things. This word is crucial for understanding how ancient cultures, including early Christians and Jews, perceived acts of sacrilege and their consequences.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἱεροσυλέω, transliterated as hierosyleō [hee-er-o-soo-LEH-oh].
• Etymology: Derived from ἱερός (hieros), meaning “holy” or “sacred,” and συλάω (sylaō), meaning “to rob” or “to plunder.”
• Part of Speech: Verb.
• Grammatical Details: Present active indicative, first-person singular; follows the standard conjugation patterns for Greek verbs.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To commit sacrilege: To desecrate something that is considered sacred.
• To rob a temple: Specifically refers to stealing from a place of worship or sacred treasury.

Similar Words: ἱεροσυλέω (hierosyleō) is closely related to the noun ἱερόσυλος (hierosylos), which means “temple robber” or “sacrilegious person.” While ἱεροσυλέω refers to the act of committing sacrilege, ἱερόσυλος denotes the person who performs such an act. Another related term is ἱεροφάντης (hierophantēs), a person who reveals or shows sacred things, but with a positive connotation, differing significantly from the negative context of ἱεροσυλέω.

Further Insights: ἱεροσυλέω is a verb that follows standard conjugation patterns in Greek. Below is the present indicative active conjugation chart for ἱεροσυλέω:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: The BDAG lexicon defines ἱεροσυλέω as “to commit sacrilege, to rob temples.” This term is used to describe actions that desecrate sacred spaces, highlighting the moral and religious infractions associated with it.

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Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon provides a detailed definition of ἱεροσυλέω, explaining it as “to rob temples, to commit sacrilege.” Thayer emphasizes the word’s use in contexts where religious laws are violated.

Vines: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that ἱεροσυλέω refers to “the act of robbing temples or committing sacrilege,” noting its usage in both Jewish and Gentile contexts where sacred property is violated.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon categorizes ἱεροσυλέω under verbs that involve “sacrilege,” specifically emphasizing the act of robbing temples or holy places.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance (G2416) defines ἱεροσυλέω as “to rob temples,” focusing on its use in Biblical contexts where actions against sacred places are mentioned.

Related Scripture References

• Romans 2:22: “You who abhor idols, do you rob temples [ἱεροσυλεῖς]?”
• This verse in Romans addresses the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold religious law while committing acts of sacrilege, such as robbing temples.

Classical Usage

Summary of ἱεροσυλέω (G2416)

The Greek word ἱεροσυλέω (hierosyleō) is a verb meaning “to commit sacrilege” or “to rob temples.” It has strong connotations of desecration and religious violation, making it significant in both New Testament and classical Greek literature. The word underscores the gravity of actions that violate sacred spaces or objects. Understanding this term provides insight into the religious, legal, and cultural contexts of the New Testament and the broader Hellenistic world.

Did You Know?

• Did You Know? In ancient Greece, robbing a temple was considered one of the gravest crimes, often punishable by death or severe penalties.
• Did You Know? The act of sacrilege, described by ἱεροσυλέω, was not only a crime against religion but also against the state in ancient times.
• Did You Know? The Apostle Paul uses ἱεροσυλέω in Romans to expose the hypocrisy of those who outwardly reject idolatry but still commit acts of religious theft, highlighting the deeper moral issues at stake.

This comprehensive overview of ἱεροσυλέω (hierosyleō) reveals its crucial role in understanding both Biblical texts and ancient Greek culture, where religious sanctity was highly esteemed.