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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, delving into the meanings of Greek words offers deeper insight into the Scriptures. The Greek verb μετατίθημι (metatithēmi) first appears in Acts 7:16, where it refers to the act of transferring or moving something from one place to another. This word is particularly significant because it carries a sense of relocation or alteration, making it important for understanding theological concepts of change, transition, and translation. In both New Testament interpretation and ancient Greek culture, μετατίθημι was often used to describe the physical act of transferring objects, but also metaphorically to refer to shifts in ideas, loyalties, or covenants.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μετατίθημι (metatithēmi, pronunciation: meh-tah-TITH-ay-mee)

Etymology: The word μετατίθημι is derived from the prefix “μετα-” (meta-), meaning “after” or “beyond,” and the verb “τίθημι” (tithēmi), meaning “to place” or “to set.” Combined, μετατίθημι means “to move” or “to place after,” conveying the idea of transferring something from one location to another, whether physical or conceptual.

Part of Speech: μετατίθημι is a verb. It indicates an action involving movement or transformation, such as transferring ownership, moving an object, or changing a belief or position.

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Defining Meanings

Meaning 1: To transfer or transport. This is the most common and literal meaning of μετατίθημι, referring to the act of moving something from one place to another. In Acts 7:16, it is used in the context of transferring the remains of Jacob and the patriarchs to Shechem.

Meaning 2: To change or alter. μετατίθημι can also refer to changing one’s position or status, such as altering a covenant or shifting one’s beliefs.

Meaning 3: To translate or transform. In a metaphorical sense, μετατίθημι can mean to translate or transform, often in reference to a change in form or state.

Exploring Similar Words

μεταφορά (metaphora, pronounced meh-tah-foh-RAH): This word, meaning “transfer” or “conveyance,” shares the idea of moving something, but typically refers to the act of transferring meaning or symbolism, particularly in metaphorical contexts.

μετακινέω (metakineō, pronounced meh-tah-kee-NEH-oh): This verb means “to remove” or “move away,” and emphasizes the physical action of relocating something or someone, often in a literal sense.

μεταβαίνω (metabainō, pronounced meh-tah-BAY-noh): Meaning “to pass over” or “to go beyond,” this verb is related to moving from one place to another, often with a focus on physical movement or transitions.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: μετατίθημι can appear in various tenses and voices in the New Testament. In Acts 7:16, it is used in the aorist tense, passive voice, indicating a completed action where something was transferred or moved. The aorist tense focuses on the action as a whole, while the passive voice emphasizes that the subject (in this case, the remains of Jacob) was acted upon and moved.

Person and Number: μετατίθημι can be conjugated in different persons and numbers, depending on the subject. For example, in Acts 7:16, the 3rd person singular aorist passive form “μετετέθη” is used, showing the action of being transferred or moved.

Aspect: The aspect of the verb is perfective, highlighting a completed action. μετατίθημι, when used in different tenses, can reflect ongoing actions (imperfective) or completed, singular events (perfective).

Conjugation Table: Present Indicative Active

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Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical insights show that μετατίθημι was used broadly in both secular and theological contexts. In Acts 7:16, the term is employed to describe the physical relocation of Jacob’s remains to Shechem, demonstrating its literal usage in transferring physical objects or people. In Galatians 1:6, however, μετατίθημι is used in a more metaphorical sense, where Paul describes the Galatians as “quickly deserting” or “turning away” from the gospel, showing how the term could indicate a shift in allegiance or belief. In classical Greek, the term often referred to the transfer of ownership or the alteration of contracts or agreements, while in the Septuagint, it sometimes carried the sense of translating or transforming ideas, particularly in theological contexts.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

• Acts 7:16: “And they were carried [μετατίθημι] back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.”
• Galatians 1:6: “I marvel that you are so quickly deserting [μετατίθημι] Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel.”
• Hebrews 7:12: “For when the priesthood is changed [μετατίθημι], of necessity there takes place a change of law also.”
• Hebrews 11:5: “By faith Enoch was taken up [μετατίθημι] so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word μετατίθημι holds an important place in New Testament and classical Greek contexts, where it is used to describe the act of transferring, moving, or changing something. Whether referring to the literal relocation of Jacob’s remains in Acts 7:16 or the metaphorical shift in beliefs in Galatians 1:6, μετατίθημι carries the concept of transition, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. The word is also significant in classical literature, used to denote changes in ownership, law, or allegiance. In biblical contexts, μετατίθημι provides a rich understanding of theological transformation, change of heart, and shifts in covenant or loyalty.

Did You Know?

• μετατίθημι is used in Hebrews 11:5 to describe Enoch being “taken up” or “translated” so that he would not see death, making it a term tied to the idea of divine relocation.
• The word is closely related to the concept of apostasy in Galatians 1:6, where Paul laments that some believers have “deserted” or “turned away” from the gospel, indicating a transfer of their allegiance.
• μετατίθημι was used in legal and political contexts in ancient Greece to describe the alteration of laws or the transfer of property, reflecting its broader application beyond religious usage.