Brief Overview of ῥύομαι (Strong’s G4506: rhyomai)

Strong’s G4506: A deponent verb meaning “to rescue,” “to deliver,” or “to draw to oneself,” emphasizing divine deliverance from danger or evil. Most notably used in the Lord’s Prayer, it carries the sense of God’s active intervention to protect and preserve His people from spiritual and physical harm.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ῥύομαι expresses the profound concept of divine rescue and protection. In the New Testament, it appears in crucial contexts of spiritual warfare and divine protection, most notably in the Lord’s Prayer. Early church fathers emphasized its meaning of complete deliverance, seeing it as God’s active intervention against evil forces. Today, it continues to express believers’ dependence on God’s delivering power and His role as protector and rescuer of His people.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥύομαι, rhyomai, /hroo-om-ahee/
• Detailed pronunciation: hroo-OH-my (with emphasis on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb (deponent)

Etymology:

• Primary verb
• Related to ἐρύω (to draw)
• Middle/passive form only
• Suggests drawing to oneself for protection

D – Defining Meanings

• To rescue or deliver
• To draw to oneself for protection
• To preserve from danger
• To set free from evil

For compound words:
This is not a compound word but a primary verb.

Translation Options:

• “deliver” – emphasizing rescue
• “protect” – highlighting preservation
• “save” – indicating rescue from danger

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σώζω (sōzō) /sode-zo/ – to save, with emphasis on salvation
  See G4982
• λυτρόω (lytroō) /loo-tro-oh/ – to redeem, ransom
  See G3084

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a deponent verb:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive form with active meaning
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Example conjugations:

• Present: ῥύομαι (I deliver)
• Future: ῥύσομαι (I will deliver)
• Aorist: ἐρρυσάμην (I delivered)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes divine rescue from danger. Thayer’s notes its use in spiritual warfare contexts. LSJ provides examples of physical rescue. Vine’s highlights its significance in prayer contexts. Strong’s connects it to drawing for protection. Moulton and Milligan document its use in petitions for divine help.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And lead us not into temptation, but [ῥύομαι] deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13

Additional References:
Matthew 27:43
Luke 1:74
Romans 7:24
Romans 11:26
2 Corinthians 1:10
Colossians 1:13
1 Thessalonians 1:10
2 Timothy 3:11
2 Peter 2:7

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ῥύομαι powerfully expresses God’s active role as deliverer and protector. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus not only saves but continuously delivers His people from evil. This word reminds us that God is actively engaged in rescuing and protecting His people, demonstrating His constant care and powerful intervention in their lives.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears prominently in ancient prayers for protection found in papyri.
2. Early Christians used this term in prayers against demonic forces.
3. Its use in the Lord’s Prayer influenced countless Christian prayers for protection.

Strong’s G4506: A deponent verb meaning “to rescue,” “to deliver,” or “to draw to oneself,” emphasizing divine deliverance from danger or evil. Most notably used in the Lord’s Prayer, it carries the sense of God’s active intervention to protect and preserve His people from spiritual and physical harm.

Part of speech: Verb (deponent)

Tags: deliver, rescue, protect, Lord’s Prayer, spiritual warfare, divine protection, salvation, preservation, evil, prayer, spiritual battle, divine intervention​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​