Divine Justice: τεφρόω (Strong’s G5077: tephroo) Reveals God’s Righteous Judgment

Strong’s G5077: A verb meaning “to reduce to ashes,” derived from τέφρα (ashes). Used specifically in reference to God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, symbolizing complete destruction and serving as an example of divine justice against wickedness.

U- Unveiling the Word

τεφρόω carries profound theological significance in its single New Testament usage. The word specifically describes the complete reduction of something to ashes, emphasizing total destruction. In 2 Peter, it appears in the context of God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, serving as a powerful warning about divine justice. The early church understood this term as representing God’s complete judgment against unrepentant wickedness, while also highlighting His mercy in preserving the righteous. Today, this word continues to remind believers of both God’s holy justice and His faithfulness in delivering His people from judgment.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τεφρόω, tephroo, /te-FROH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: teh-FROH-oh (emphasis on FROH)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• τέφρα (tephra) – root word meaning “ashes”
• -όω (-oō) – verbal suffix indicating to make something into the state of the root word

D – Defining Meanings

• To reduce to ashes
• To incinerate completely
• To turn into ashes

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but derives from τέφρα with the factitive verbal suffix -όω, indicating the action of turning something into ashes.

Translation Options:

• “Reduce to ashes” – Most precise theological translation
• “Incinerate” – Modern equivalent emphasizing complete destruction
• “Turn to ashes” – Literal translation preserving the image

E – Exploring Similar Words

• καίω (kaiō) /KAI-oh/ – to burn or set on fire, less complete than τεφρόω. See G2545
• κατακαίω (katakaiō) /ka-ta-KAI-oh/ – to burn up completely. See G2618
• πυρόω (puroō) /py-ROH-oh/ – to burn with fire, test by fire. See G4448

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Verb:

• Tense: Aorist (in biblical usage)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Perfective

The word shows these forms:

• Present: τεφρόω (I reduce to ashes)
• Aorist: ἐτέφρωσα (I reduced to ashes)
• Perfect: τετέφρωκα (I have reduced to ashes)
• Passive: τεφρόομαι (I am reduced to ashes)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τεφρόω’s unique usage in describing divine judgment, noting its specific application to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Thayer’s highlights its completeness of destruction, beyond mere burning. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for complete incineration. Vine’s notes its theological significance as an example of divine retribution. Strong’s connects it to the root word for ashes, emphasizing the finality of the action. Moulton and Milligan indicate its rare usage, making its appearance in 2 Peter particularly significant. The synthesis reveals a term chosen for its emphasis on complete and irreversible destruction as a manifestation of divine judgment.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes [τεφρόω] condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” 2 Peter 2:6

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τεφρόω appears in Scripture as a powerful reminder of God’s righteous judgment against sin. While its imagery is severe, it proclaims the good news that King Jesus offers salvation from such judgment. The word teaches that God’s justice is complete and final, yet His mercy prevails for those who turn to Him. In the context of Sodom and Gomorrah, it demonstrates that while judgment is certain for the unrepentant, God faithfully delivers His people, just as He rescued Lot.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only once in the New Testament but creates one of its most vivid images of divine judgment.
2. Ancient medical texts used this term for the complete reduction of materials to ash for medicinal purposes.
3. Early church fathers frequently referenced this word when discussing the final judgment.

Strong’s G5077: A verb meaning “to reduce to ashes,” derived from τέφρα (ashes). Used specifically in reference to God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, symbolizing complete destruction and serving as an example of divine justice against wickedness.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: judgment, destruction, ashes, Sodom, Gomorrah, divine justice, warning, fire, punishment, salvation, mercy, deliverance​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​