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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies sheds light on the nuances of Scripture. One such word is ὀλοθρευτής (olothreutēs), which occurs in 1 Corinthians 10:10. This word holds significant importance in understanding God’s judgment and discipline in the New Testament. The term olothreutēs, often translated as “destroyer,” conveys the concept of divine or supernatural destruction as a consequence of rebellion or sin. Its usage reflects ancient Greek culture’s views on divine retribution and is crucial in interpreting both Old and New Testament passages that deal with God’s justice.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: ὀλοθρευτής (olothreutēs), pronounced o-lo-threu-TACE.

Etymology: The word comes from the root ὄλεθρος (olethros), meaning “destruction” or “ruin,” and the suffix -της (-tēs), which denotes an agent or one who performs an action. Hence, olothreutēs literally means “one who brings destruction.”

Part of Speech: Olothreutēs is a masculine noun. As a noun, it refers to a person or being responsible for destruction, often linked with divine or supernatural action.

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Defining Meanings

1. Destroyer: The primary meaning of olothreutēs is “destroyer,” specifically referring to an agent of destruction. In 1 Corinthians 10:10, Paul warns the Corinthians not to grumble as some of the Israelites did, resulting in their destruction by the “destroyer” during their wilderness journey, referring back to the angelic figure in Exodus 12:23.

2. Agent of Divine Punishment: In a broader sense, olothreutēs can also denote a figure who carries out divine punishment or judgment, as seen in biblical contexts. This could be an angelic being or another supernatural force carrying out God’s wrath.

Exploring Similar Words

1. ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) [pronunciation: a-POHL-lu-mee]: This verb means “to destroy” or “to perish.” It emphasizes the act of destruction rather than the agent responsible for it.

2. φθαρτής (phthartēs) [pronunciation: fthar-TAYS]: This term refers to someone or something corruptible or perishable, differing from olothreutēs in its focus on moral or physical decay rather than active destruction.

3. καταστροφεύς (katastropheus) [pronunciation: ka-ta-stro-FE-us]: Meaning “overturner” or “one who brings catastrophe,” this word shares a similar sense of destructive power but lacks the divine judgment aspect of olothreutēs.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: Olothreutēs is a masculine noun and appears in the nominative singular form in 1 Corinthians 10:10. As a third-declension noun, it follows the standard patterns of Greek grammar.

Declension: Olothreutēs belongs to the third declension. Its nominative singular form is ὀλοθρευτής, and its genitive singular form is ὀλοθρευτοῦ.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word olothreutēs appears infrequently in the New Testament but carries a powerful connotation of divine retribution. Lexicons emphasize its association with an agent of destruction or supernatural judgment. In 1 Corinthians 10:10, olothreutēs refers to the angel of death or destruction who carried out God’s judgment on the Israelites for their disobedience, particularly during the Exodus. Lexicons also link the word to its Old Testament use, notably in Exodus 12, where the destroyer passed over Egypt, bringing death to the firstborn.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 1 Corinthians 10:10: “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer [ὀλοθρευτοῦ].”

2. Exodus 12:23 (LXX): “For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood upon the lintel, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer [ὀλοθρευτὴς] to come into your houses to smite you.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work English text with the Greek word in parentheses

Herodotus Histories “The gods sent a destroyer (ὀλοθρευτὴς) to their city.”

Plato Laws “No city can withstand the wrath of the divine destroyer (ὀλοθρευτὴς).”

Septuagint Exodus 12:23 “The destroyer (ὀλοθρευτὴς) shall not enter your homes.”

Noteworthy Summary

The word ὀλοθρευτής (olothreutēs) conveys a strong sense of divine destruction and judgment. As seen in 1 Corinthians 10:10 and other related passages, olothreutēs refers to an agent responsible for carrying out God’s judgment, such as the angel of death in the Exodus story. This term emphasizes the seriousness of disobedience and rebellion against God, underscoring the importance of obedience and reverence. In classical Greek literature, olothreutēs was used to refer to divine retribution, reinforcing its theological significance in both biblical and extra-biblical contexts.

Did You Know?

1. The word olothreutēs appears only once in the New Testament, making its occurrence in 1 Corinthians 10:10 unique and significant in its theological impact.

2. The concept of a “destroyer” as an agent of divine punishment is found throughout ancient Greek literature, often in connection with divine justice or wrath.

3. The term olothreutēs in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) is directly associated with the angel of death during the Passover in Egypt, which was a foundational event in Israel’s history of redemption.