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δαπανάω

dapanáō

G1159 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To spend, expend, or use up resources or wealth; to consume (something) through expenditure. The verb can convey a neutral sense of incurring expense, or, depending on context, a negative sense of wastefulness or squandering. Semantic range includes to pay out, to bear costs, to use up, or to dissipate what is possessed.

Semantic Range

to pay out, to bear expense, to incur cost, to spend resources or money, to use up through expenditure, to waste, to spend oneself (metaphorically), to be consumed

Root / Etymology

From the noun δαπάνη (dapanē, 'expense, cost, outlay'), which itself is of uncertain pre-Greek or Indo-European origin. The verb is a denominative formation based on this noun, meaning 'to spend' or 'to incur expense.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, δαπανάω is used for a variety of kinds of expenditure, whether of money, resources, or effort, and can range from a strictly neutral sense ('pay out, spend on necessities') to a negative one ('waste, squander'). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term occurs rarely but retains the dual potential of neutral expense and negative wastefulness. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 15:14, 2 Corinthians 12:15), it can describe both the act of incurring necessary or self-giving expenditures and being consumed or spent, whether financially or metaphorically. English Bible translations often use 'spend,' 'use up,' or 'waste,' but the Greek term may carry contextual overtones not fully captured by a single English verb—particularly the distinction between necessary expenditure and imprudent dissipation. Related forms include the noun δαπάνη (expense) and the adjective δαπανηρός (costly). Compared to ἀναλίσκω ('to use up, spend') or τελέω ('to pay [a tax, fee]'), δαπανάω is broader and more commonly connected to the idea of resources being depleted through outlay, not always with an explicit legal or transactional sense.

Translation Consistency

primary "spend" 2 occurrences

“Spend” is the most natural, common English verb that covers the full SILEX range: to pay out or bear costs, to use up resources, and to waste or consume (including metaphorical use). It is clearer and more idiomatic than the more formal “expend” and better fits typical contexts than renders like “having.” For consistency across all forms of G1159, “spend” best preserves meaning and readability.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"having spent" (2x) "expend" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δαπάνη; to expend, i.e. (in a good sense) to incur cost, or (in a bad one) to waste:--be at charges, consume, spend.

Root Family

δαπανάω (dapanáō) — to spend, to expend, to use up, to consume

Root δαπαν- to spend, to use up, to consume, to expend

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1159-02 δαπανήσασα dapanesasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG having spent having expended having spent 1
G1159-05 δαπάνησον dapaneson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG be at charges Spend spend 1
G1159-01 δαπανήσαντος dapanesantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG having spent of the one having spent having spent 1
G1159-03 δαπανήσητε dapanesete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you may spend you might spend you might spend 1
G1159-04 δαπανήσω dapaneso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will spend I will expend I will expend 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1159-02 Mark 5:26 δαπανήσασα dapanesasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG having spent having expended having spent
G1159-01 Luke 15:14 δαπανήσαντος dapanesantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG having spent of the one having spent having spent
G1159-05 Acts 21:24 δαπάνησον dapaneson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG be at charges Spend spend
G1159-04 2 Corinthians 12:15 δαπανήσω dapaneso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will spend I will expend I will expend
G1159-03 James 4:3 δαπανήσητε dapanesete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you may spend you might spend you might spend
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