Divine Placement: τίθημι (Strong’s G5087: tithemi) Establishes Kingdom Purpose

Strong’s G5087: A fundamental verb meaning “to put, place, or establish,” used extensively in the New Testament for both literal and metaphorical placement. Appears in crucial contexts describing divine appointment, spiritual foundations, and the establishment of God’s purposes.

U- Unveiling the Word

τίθημι carries profound theological significance beyond its basic meaning of placing or setting. This versatile verb appears in contexts ranging from Jesus’ parables about light placement to the profound theological concept of laying down one’s life. In its spiritual applications, it often describes God’s sovereign acts of establishing, appointing, and ordaining. The early church recognized this word’s deep implications for divine purpose and human response, seeing in it both God’s sovereign placement and our willing submission to His positioning. Today, it continues to remind believers that both their position and purpose are divinely established.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τίθημι, tithemi, /TI-they-mi/
• Detailed pronunciation: TEE-thay-mee (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Primary verb from Proto-Indo-European *dhē- meaning “to set” or “to place”
• Root word for many compound verbs in Greek
• No prefixes or suffixes in basic form

D – Defining Meanings

• To place or put
• To set or establish
• To appoint or ordain
• To lay down (as life)
• To make or constitute

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but serves as root for many compounds

Translation Options:

• “Place/Put” – For literal physical placement
• “Establish” – For foundational or institutional contexts
• “Appoint” – For official or divine designation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἵστημι (histemi) /HIS-tay-mi/ – to stand, establish, more permanent. See G2476
• κεῖμαι (keimai) /KEI-mai/ – to lie, be laid, state of placement. See G2749
• βάλλω (ballo) /BAL-lo/ – to throw, cast, more forceful placement. See G906

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Verb:

• Tense: Present/Future/Aorist/Perfect
• Voice: Active/Middle/Passive
• Mood: Indicative/Subjunctive/Imperative
• Person: First/Second/Third
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Aspect: Continuous/Perfective

Key forms:

• Present: τίθημι (I place)
• Future: θήσω (I will place)
• Aorist: ἔθηκα (I placed)
• Perfect: τέθεικα (I have placed)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τίθημι’s broad semantic range from literal placement to divine appointment. Thayer’s details its development from physical positioning to metaphorical establishment. LSJ documents its fundamental role in Greek expression of placement and purpose. Vine’s highlights its theological significance in expressing divine purpose and human response. Strong’s connects it to foundational concepts of establishment. Moulton and Milligan show its common usage in legal and administrative contexts. The synthesis reveals a term that bridges concrete action and abstract purpose, particularly in expressing divine intention and human cooperation.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Neither do men light a candle, and [put] [τίθημι] it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:15

Additional References:
John 10:11
John 15:13
Acts 1:7
1 Thessalonians 5:9

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τίθημι represents divine intentionality in both placement and purpose. From Jesus’ teachings about light to His ultimate act of laying down His life, this word proclaims the good news that King Jesus purposefully establishes His kingdom through both sovereign acts and willing sacrifice. It reminds believers that their position and purpose are divinely ordained, challenging them to embrace their placement in God’s plan while following their King’s example of sacrificial service.

D – Did You Know?

1. Forms the basis for many theological terms in early Christian writings.
2. Used in ancient Greek law codes for establishing statutes.
3. Appears over 100 times in the New Testament in various forms.

Strong’s G5087: A fundamental verb meaning “to put, place, or establish,” used extensively in the New Testament for both literal and metaphorical placement. Appears in crucial contexts describing divine appointment, spiritual foundations, and the establishment of God’s purposes.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: placement, establishment, appointment, purpose, foundation, sacrifice, position, ordination, divine purpose, arrangement, service, calling​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​