δεκατόω
dekatóō
G1183 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To collect or pay a tenth part; to tithe—primarily to assign, give, or receive one-tenth of produce, income, or goods, according to religious or social obligation. The core sense is the act of assessing or rendering a tenth part, most often in relation to religious requirements. Can refer to both giving and receiving a tithe depending on context, particularly in reference to Levites or priests as receivers or others as payers.
Semantic Range
to pay a tithe, to receive a tithe, to assign a tenth part, to assess a tenth, to tithe
Root / Etymology
From δεκάτη (tithe, tenth part), itself from δέκα (ten). The verb formation denotes the act of giving, assigning, or receiving a tithe. No evidence of borrowing; regular derivation within Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic and early Roman period Greek, especially in Jewish and Israelite religious contexts. In the Septuagint, δεκατόω is used to translate Hebrew עָשַׂר (to tithe), closely tied to the practice of rendering a tenth part to Levites or priests (cf. Leviticus, Numbers). In the New Testament (Hebrews 7), it describes both Abraham giving a tithe to Melchizedek and Levites receiving tithes from the people, showing flexibility between payer and recipient—NT usages echo LXX and Second Temple Jewish practice. The verb is rare outside Jewish or Christian writings; in classical sources, the noun δεκάτη is much more common, while the verb is specialized and infrequent. English 'to tithe' is a close equivalent but sometimes loses the reciprocal nature (pay or receive—a nuance maintained in the Greek).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from δεκάτη; to tithe, i.e. to give or take a tenth:--pay (receive) tithes.
Root Family
δεκάτ- (dekatóō) — to take a tenth, to give a tenth, to tithe
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1183-01 |
δεδεκάτωκεν | dedekatoken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has collected tithes | has tithed | has tithed | 1 |
G1183-02 |
δεδεκάτωται | dedekatotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has paid tithes | has been tithed | has been tithed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1183-01 |
Hebrews 7:6 | δεδεκάτωκεν | dedekatoken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has collected tithes | has tithed | has tithed |
G1183-02 |
Hebrews 7:9 | δεδεκάτωται | dedekatotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has paid tithes | has been tithed | has been tithed |