Brief Overview of παρατίθημι (Strong’s G3908: paratithēmi)

Strong’s G3908: A compound verb combining παρα (beside) with τίθημι (to place/put), meaning “to set before, place beside, or entrust.” Used in various contexts including serving food, presenting teachings, and committing people or things to God’s care. Significant in both practical and spiritual contexts.

U- Unveiling the Word

παρατίθημι carries rich meaning in both practical and spiritual contexts. Literally meaning “to place beside,” it appears in scenarios ranging from serving meals to presenting parables to entrusting believers to God’s care. The compound structure emphasizes the personal nature of placing something in close proximity to another. Early church writers expanded its usage to discuss the transmission of doctrine and the act of spiritual entrustment. Today, it continues to illustrate how we present truth to others and commit ourselves to God’s care.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παρατίθημι, paratithēmi, /par-ah-TITH-ay-mee/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + ah + TITH (stressed) + ay (as in ‘say’) + mee
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside, alongside
• τίθημι (tithēmi): to put, place
• -μι (-mi): primary verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To set before (especially of food)
• To present (teaching or truth)
• To entrust or commit to someone’s care

For compound words:
παρα- indicates close proximity or personal relationship, while τίθημι provides the basic concept of placing, creating the sense of personally presenting or entrusting

Translation Options:

• “To set before” – emphasizes physical placement
• “To present” – captures both physical and abstract usage
• “To entrust” – emphasizes the relational aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προτίθημι (protithēmi) /pro-TITH-ay-mee/ – to set forth or purpose
• ἐπιτίθημι (epitithēmi) /ep-ee-TITH-ay-mee/ – to lay upon
• κατατίθημι (katatithēmi) /kat-ah-TITH-ay-mee/ – to lay down or deposit

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, παρατίθημι exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Progressive, Perfective

Examples:
παρατίθημι (I set before)
παρέθηκα (I set before – aorist)
παρατιθέμενος (setting before – participle)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its range from physical placement to spiritual entrustment. Thayer’s notes its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts. LSJ documents extensive classical usage in various contexts. Vine’s highlights its significance in committing things to God’s care. Moulton and Milligan note its common use in legal documents for deposits.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Another parable he [παρατίθημι] put before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field'” (Matthew 13:24)

Additional References:
Mark 6:41, Mark 8:6-7, Luke 9:16, Luke 10:8, Luke 11:6, Luke 12:48, Acts 14:23, Acts 17:3, Acts 20:32, 1 Timothy 1:18

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παρατίθημι demonstrates versatility in describing both physical acts of presenting and spiritual acts of entrustment. Its usage spans practical hospitality, teaching ministry, and spiritual commitment.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in all three Synoptic Gospels’ feeding miracle accounts
• It became a technical term for passing on apostolic teaching
• Paul uses it specifically for entrusting church leaders to God’s care

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound verb combining παρα (beside) with τίθημι (to place/put), meaning “to set before, place beside, or entrust.” Used in various contexts including serving food, presenting teachings, and committing people or things to God’s care. Significant in both practical and spiritual contexts.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #verb #teaching #entrustment #food #parables #ministry #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #apostolic_tradition​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​