The Greek word ἀπειλή (apeilē) means “threat” or “menace.” It refers to a declaration or warning of impending danger or harm. The term is used to describe a situation where someone makes a statement indicating the intention to inflict punishment or adverse consequences, often as a means of coercion or intimidation. It is related to the verb ἀπειλέω (apeileō), which means “to threaten.”

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀπειλή is translated as “threat” and represents a verbal warning of impending danger or punishment. It implies a declaration intended to instill fear or compliance.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG defines ἀπειλή as “threat” or “menace.” It highlights its use in contexts where a threat is made to express an intention to cause harm or to compel action. BDAG notes that this term is often associated with warnings of punishment or danger.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ describes ἀπειλή as “threat” and focuses on its usage in expressing a declaration of harm or danger. The lexicon indicates that the term is employed in contexts where threats are used to influence or intimidate others.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s defines ἀπειλή as “threat,” emphasizing its application in making statements of impending harm or punishment. Thayer’s notes that the term is used in various contexts to denote a threat as a means of coercion or intimidation.

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In summary, ἀπειλή (apeilē) means “threat” and denotes a verbal indication of harm or punishment intended to instill fear or compel compliance. Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s all confirm this meaning, noting its use in contexts where threats are made to influence or coerce others.