Brief Overview of πιέζω (Strong’s G4085: piezō)

Strong’s G4085: A verb meaning “to press down” or “to compress.” In biblical usage, appears uniquely in Luke 6:38 describing the generous measure of God’s giving, where blessing is pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πιέζω (piezō) describes the action of pressing or compressing to maximize capacity. In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’s teaching about divine generosity, where the image of pressing down a measure illustrates God’s abundant giving. Early church writers used this image to discuss both God’s generosity and our response in giving. Today, it continues to illustrate the overflowing nature of God’s provision and the principle of generous giving.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πιέζω, piezō, pee-ed’-zo
• Detailed pronunciation: pee (as in “pea”) + ed (as in “edge”) + zo (as in “zone”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:
From Proto-Indo-European *peys- meaning “to crush” or “to press”

D – Defining Meanings

• To press down
• To compress
• To pack tight
• To squeeze together
• To condense

Translation Options:

1. Press down – emphasizes downward action
2. Compress – technical equivalent
3. Pack tight – describes result

E – Exploring Similar Words

• θλίβω (thlibō) [thlee’-bo] – to press, afflict
• συνέχω (synechō) [soon-ekh’-o] – to compress, constrain
• στενοχωρέω (stenochōreō) [sten-okh-o-reh’-o] – to crowd

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Example conjugations:
Present Active: πιέζω (I press)
Future Active: πιέσω (I will press)
Perfect Passive: πεπίεσμαι (I have been pressed)

Cross-references:

• Noun: πίεσις (pressure)
• Adjective: πιεστός (pressed)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its commercial measurement context. Thayer’s notes its connection to abundance. LSJ documents various technical applications. Vine’s connects it to divine generosity. Strong’s highlights the thoroughness of the action. Moulton and Milligan note its use in trade contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down [πιέζω], shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)

Additional References:
[This is the only occurrence in the New Testament]

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πιέζω powerfully illustrates God’s abundant provision and generosity. The good news of King Jesus includes not just sufficiency but overflowing blessing. This word reminds us that God’s giving exceeds our expectations, and challenges us to reflect His generosity in our own giving.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient commerce for measuring grain.
2. Applied in medical texts for bandaging wounds.
3. The word gives us the modern term “piezo” in physics.

Strong’s G4085: A verb depicting the action of pressing down or compressing, used uniquely in Luke to illustrate God’s generous giving. The image suggests thorough and complete filling, emphasizing divine abundance and generosity.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #press #giving #abundance #generosity #measure #blessing #Luke #Jesus #teaching #NewTestament #BiblicalGreek #Theology #provision​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​