← G1609 G1611 →

ἐκριζόω

ekrizóō

G1610 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To uproot, remove entirely from the roots; primarily, to tear out or destroy by the roots, with application both to plants (literal sense) and to persons, communities, or abstract entities in a figurative sense (e.g., to drive out, eradicate, remove completely). In extended usage, implies decisive and total removal or destruction, sometimes with reference to judgments, actions of divine or human agency, or complete removal from a situation or place.

Semantic Range

to uproot, to pluck up by the roots, to eradicate, to destroy utterly, to remove completely, to drive out

Root / Etymology

From preposition ἐκ (out of, from) and ῥιζόω (to root), thus meaning 'to root out' or 'remove from the root.' The verb follows standard compound formation with ἐκ intensifying the action toward removal or separation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐκριζόω is rare in earlier Greek but occurs in Hellenistic and Koine contexts, notably in the Septuagint and New Testament. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms meaning 'to uproot' or 'cut off completely,' especially in agricultural or judgment settings. In the New Testament (e.g., Matt 13:29; 15:13), it appears both literally (of plants) and metaphorically (of communities, teachings, or people being removed by divine judgment). English Bible translations frequently render ἐκριζόω as 'uproot' or 'pluck up by the roots,' but this may obscure wider figurative applications (e.g., to eradicate, utterly remove, or destroy). The term’s force lies in the emphasis on entire removal, leaving nothing behind. Related verbs such as ἐκκόπτω ('to cut off/out') highlight a difference: ἐκριζόω underscores removal from the root, signifying total elimination, whereas ἐκκόπτω may refer only to cutting off part or severing without emphasizing root removal. No specialized or theologically distinct meaning developed in Christian literary tradition beyond the strong sense of total removal.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and ῥιζόω; to uproot:--pluck up by the root, root up.

Root Family

ῥιζ- (ekrizóō) — to root, to set roots, to remove roots

Root ῥιζ- to root, to set roots, to remove roots
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4491 ῥίζα root
G4492 ῥιζόω having been rooted

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1610-01 ἐκριζώσητε ekrizosete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you root up you might uproot you might uproot 1
G1610-02 ἐκριζωθέντα ekrizothenta V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N PL uprooted having been uprooted having been uprooted 1
G1610-03 ἐκριζωθήσεται ekrizothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be uprooted will be uprooted will be uprooted 1
G1610-04 ἐκριζώθητι ekrizotheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG be-uprooted Be uprooted Be uprooted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1610-01 Matthew 13:29 ἐκριζώσητε ekrizosete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you root up you might uproot you might uproot
G1610-03 Matthew 15:13 ἐκριζωθήσεται ekrizothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be uprooted will be uprooted will be uprooted
G1610-04 Luke 17:6 ἐκριζώθητι ekrizotheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG be-uprooted Be uprooted Be uprooted
G1610-02 Jude 1:12 ἐκριζωθέντα ekrizothenta V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N PL uprooted having been uprooted having been uprooted
← G1609 Greek Lexicon G1611 →