Brief Overview of ῥιπτέω (Strong’s G4495: rhipteō)

Strong’s G4495: A strengthened form of ῥίπτω, meaning “to throw” or “to cast with force.” This variant form emphasizes intensive or repeated action of throwing or casting. In Acts 22:23, it describes the angry crowd throwing dust into the air, demonstrating intense opposition to Paul’s message.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ῥιπτέω represents an intensified form of throwing or casting, often implying violent or repeated action. In its New Testament context, it appears in a scene of strong opposition to the gospel, where the crowd’s physical action of throwing dust symbolizes their spiritual rejection. Early church writers used this word to describe both literal acts of violence against Christians and metaphorical casting away of sin. Today, it serves as a reminder of both the opposition the gospel faces and the decisive action needed in rejecting sin.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥιπτέω, rhipteō, /hrip-teh-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: hrip-TEH-oh (with emphasis on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Base: ῥίπτω (to throw)
• Extended form with -έω
• Intensified meaning
• Related to quick, forceful motion

D – Defining Meanings

• To throw forcefully
• To cast repeatedly
• To hurl with intensity
• To toss away violently

For compound words:
This is not a compound word but an intensified form of ῥίπτω.

Translation Options:

• “to throw forcefully” – emphasizing intensity
• “to cast repeatedly” – highlighting repeated action
• “to hurl” – indicating violent motion

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ῥίπτω (rhiptō) /hrip-toh/ – the basic form meaning “to throw”
  See G4496
• βάλλω (ballō) /bal-loh/ – to throw, cast, put
  See G906

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a verb:

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

Example conjugations:

• Present active: ῥιπτέω
• Present participle: ῥιπτοῦντες
• Imperfect: ἐρρίπτουν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG notes its relationship to ῥίπτω and its intensified meaning. Thayer’s emphasizes its forceful nature. LSJ provides examples of repeated throwing actions. Vine’s connects it to vigorous or violent casting. Strong’s highlights its intensive form. Moulton and Milligan document its usage in situations of strong emotion or violence.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And as they were [ῥιπτέω] throwing dust into the air and shouting,” Acts 22:23

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ῥιπτέω powerfully illustrates both the opposition the gospel faces and the decisive action required in following Christ. While used to describe resistance to Paul’s message, it reminds us that the good news of King Jesus often faces violent rejection. Yet it also teaches us about the forceful manner in which we should cast away anything that hinders our relationship with Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. This intensified form was often used in military contexts for throwing weapons.
2. Ancient theater scripts used this word for dramatic gestures of rejection.
3. Early Christian martyrdom accounts used this word to describe crowds’ actions during persecutions.

Strong’s G4495: A strengthened form of ῥίπτω, meaning “to throw” or “cast with force.” This variant form emphasizes intensive or repeated action of throwing or casting. In Acts 22:23, it describes the angry crowd throwing dust into the air, demonstrating intense opposition to Paul’s message.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: throw, cast, opposition, persecution, Paul, Acts, rejection, violence, intensity, dust, crowd reaction, forceful action​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​