Understanding ἀντιτάσσω (antitassō) Strong’s G498: The Greek Word that Reveals Divine Authority and Human Resistance

Pronunciation Guide: an-tee-tas’-so

Basic Definition

Strong’s G498: ἀντιτάσσω is a compound verb that literally means “to range oneself against, to oppose, to resist.” It combines the preposition ἀντί (against) with τάσσω (to arrange or order), creating a vivid picture of taking a deliberate stand in opposition to someone or something. The word carries strong military connotations of arranging troops for battle against an opposing force.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἀντί (against) + τάσσω (to arrange/order)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative and teaching passages
• Voice: Middle/Passive
• Tense: Present

ἀντιτάσσω Morphology:

• ἀντιτάσσω (present active) – I oppose/resist
• ἀντιτάσσομαι (present middle/passive) – I set myself against
• ἀντιτασσόμενος (present middle/passive participle) – opposing/resisting
• ἀντιτάξεται (future middle) – he/she will oppose
• ἀντιτέτακται (perfect passive) – has been set against

Origin & History

The word ἀντιτάσσω emerged from classical Greek military contexts, where it described the tactical positioning of troops in opposition to an enemy force. Thucydides uses it in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” to describe armies arranging themselves for battle. The term appears in Xenophon’s “Anabasis” when describing military formations set against opposing forces.

In the Septuagint, ἀντιτάσσω takes on additional theological significance, often describing human resistance to divine authority. It appears in Proverbs 3:34 in the significant statement that “God opposes (ἀντιτάσσεται) the proud,” a verse later quoted in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, employed the term to warn against opposing God’s appointed leaders and divine ordinances.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Military Opposition: To arrange troops in battle array against an enemy
• Active Resistance: To set oneself deliberately against authority
• Spiritual Rebellion: To oppose God or divine ordinances
• Legal Opposition: To contest or resist in a legal context

ἀντιτάσσω Translation Options:

• “To oppose” – Best captures the general sense of resistance
• “To resist” – Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the opposition
• “To set oneself against” – Highlights the middle voice usage indicating personal involvement
• “To arrange against” – Preserves the military metaphor
• “To defy” – Captures the intense personal resistance implied

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀντιτάσσω appears only 5 times, but each usage is theologically significant. The word often appears in contexts discussing human resistance to divine authority or God’s opposition to human pride. Its first appearance in Acts 18:6 shows Paul encountering strong Jewish opposition to his message about Jesus as the Messiah.

The term carries particular weight in James and Peter’s writings, where it appears in the context of divine-human relationships and church order. The usage pattern suggests a development from its military origins to a broader application in spiritual warfare and moral resistance.

• “But when they opposed themselves [ἀντιτασσομένων] and blasphemed” Acts 18:6
• “Whosoever therefore resisteth [ἀντιτασσόμενος] the power” Romans 13:2
• “God resisteth [ἀντιτάσσεται] the proud” James 4:6
• “God resisteth [ἀντιτάσσεται] the proud” 1 Peter 5:5

Cultural Insights

In ancient military contexts, ἀντιτάσσω described not just opposition but strategic positioning. A commander would ἀντιτάσσω his troops by carefully arranging them in formation to counter the enemy’s strengths and exploit their weaknesses. This military precision in the word’s meaning adds depth to its spiritual applications.

The concept also appears in ancient Jewish literature, particularly in discussions of the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and yetzer hatov (good inclination). The rabbis taught that one must ἀντιτάσσω (arrange oneself against) the evil inclination through Torah study and good deeds.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀντιτάσσω in Scripture reveals a profound truth about divine-human relationships. When humans ἀντιτάσσω against God or His appointed authorities, they position themselves in an impossible battle against omnipotence. Yet God only ἀντιτάσσεται (opposes) one human characteristic – pride. This selective divine opposition shows God’s grace, as He only actively resists what would ultimately destroy us.

The word appears at crucial junctures in Scripture where divine and human authority intersect, particularly in Romans 13 regarding civil authority. This usage suggests that resistance to legitimate authority often stems from pride, the very thing God opposes.

The middle/passive voice predominant in New Testament usage emphasizes personal responsibility in opposition, showing that resistance to God is always a conscious choice rather than an accident or circumstance.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀντιτάσσω challenges us to examine our own hearts for areas where we might be arranging ourselves in opposition to God’s will or His appointed authorities. The military precision implied in the word reminds us that our resistance to God is often more calculated and deliberate than we care to admit.

Just as a military commander would carefully consider the cost before opposing a superior force, we should soberly evaluate any position we take that might put us in opposition to God’s revealed will or legitimate authority structures He has established.

Related Words

• ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō) – to submit, arrange under – opposite of ἀντιτάσσω in meaning and action – See G5293
• ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi) – to withstand, oppose – similar concept but emphasizes standing rather than arranging – See G436
• παρατάσσω (paratassō) – to arrange beside – related to military arrangement but without opposition – See G3908
• ἐναντίος (enantios) – opposite, opposed – describes the state rather than the action of opposition – See G1727

Did you Know?

• The word ἀντιτάσσω is still used in modern Greek military contexts to describe counter-formations and strategic opposition to enemy forces, maintaining its ancient military significance over thousands of years.
• In Byzantine church architecture, the arrangement of icons and sacred spaces was sometimes described using forms of τάσσω, with ἀντιτάσσω being used to describe the deliberate positioning of sacred elements in opposition to worldly influences.
• Ancient Greek military manuals used ἀντιτάσσω specifically for the arrangement of heavy infantry (hoplites) in opposing phalanx formations, showing how precise and technical the word’s original meaning was.

Remember This

ἀντιτάσσω represents the ultimate futility of human resistance against divine authority, while simultaneously revealing God’s gracious opposition to only those things that would destroy us.