ἐκγαμίζω
ekgamízō
G1547
SILEX Entry
Definition
to arrange for someone, usually one's daughter, to be married; to give in marriage, typically with the implication of acting as the responsible party facilitating the legal or customary union. In some contexts, can refer generally to the act of marrying off or causing someone to marry, rather than to the personal act of marrying.
Semantic Range
to give (a daughter or dependent) in marriage, to arrange a marriage, to marry off, to cause to be married by another
Root / Etymology
from ἐκ ('out, from') and a causative form of γαμέω ('to marry'), thus meaning 'to cause to be married out of (one's household)'. The word is a causative verb, with the sense of arranging someone else's marriage. Variant form ἐκγαμίζω and related ἐκγαμίσκω reflect dialectal or morphological differences.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, ἐκγαμίζω is used especially for the act of giving a female relative, usually a daughter, in marriage, underlining the social role of the family (most often the father or guardian) as the one who 'marries off' the woman. The term is relatively rare, and in the New Testament occurs in the passive or active voice to describe the process of arranging marriage, frequently contrasted with γαμίζω or γαμέω (the act of marrying, usually from the perspective of the person entering marriage). In the Septuagint, ἐκγαμίζω is used to translate Hebrew terms for 'to give in marriage' (often נָתַן or הִשִּיא in the hiphil), emphasizing the authority of parents or guardians in ancient Israelite and Judean society. Standard English translations typically render 'to give in marriage,' but this may obscure the implicit power dynamics, where the woman is a passive participant and the family is the active agent. By contrast, γαμέω refers to the act of marrying from the perspective of the bridegroom. The word rarely refers to arranging marriages for male children. In non-biblical Koine Greek literature, the usage is similar, though it can refer to arranging any dependent's marriage. The verb's causative force distinguishes it from simple terms for marrying or wedding.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and a form of γαμίσκω (compare ἐκγαμίσκω); to marry off a daughter:--give in marriage.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.