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ἔκθετος

ékthetos

G1570 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Set out, exposed (particularly of persons, especially infants or children left in an exposed situation); by extension, cast out, abandoned. In the primary sense, refers to someone or something placed outside for the purpose of abandonment or exposure, often with the implication of leaving to fate or danger. In legal and social contexts, especially refers to the practice of exposing unwanted infants.

Semantic Range

set out, exposed (to danger or abandonment), abandoned (especially of children), cast out, expelled

Root / Etymology

From ἐκ (out of, from) and a verbal derivative of τίθημι (to put, to place), literally meaning 'placed out.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἔκθετος frequently refers to a child (often an infant) who is left exposed—typically due to illegitimacy, poverty, or family decision. Such exposure was a recognized practice, subject to moral and legal discussion in Greco-Roman society. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term retains the sense of being exposed or abandoned, but occurs rarely. The term does not carry inherently theological connotations; rather, it describes social or physical action with significant implications for the individual's fate. English translations such as 'cast out' or 'exposed' often narrow the full meaning, as they may not capture the legal-cultural background of infant exposure which the term most naturally invokes in Greek. No substantial difference is seen between LXX and NT use, though the latter is rare or absent; wider Koine Greek maintains the Classical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and a derivative of τίθημι; put out, i.e. exposed to perish:--cast out.

Root Family

τιθ- (diatíthemai) — to place, to set

Root τιθ- to place, to set, to put
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1303 διατίθεμαι having arranged for himself
G1620 ἐκτίθημι of having been exposed
G2007 ἐπιτίθημι they placed upon
G394 ἀνατίθεμαι I set forth for consideration
G4323 προσανατίθημι I presented for consultation

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1570-01 ἔκθετα ektheta ADJ.S ACC N PL exposed the exposed ones the exposed ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1570-01 Acts 7:19 ἔκθετα ektheta ADJ.S ACC N PL exposed the exposed ones the exposed ones
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