αἰχμαλωτίζω
aichmalōtízō
G163 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take or carry someone away as a prisoner or captive, typically by force during war or conflict; to lead into captivity. In extended or metaphorical usage, to gain complete control over someone or something, such as captivating the mind or will.
Semantic Range
to take as a captive, to bring into captivity, to lead away captive, to overpower or subdue (figuratively), to control or entrap (metaphorically)
Root / Etymology
From αἰχμάλωτος (aichmalōtos), meaning 'captive' or 'prisoner of war', itself derived from αἰχμή (spear) and ἁλῶτος (taken, conquered), thus originally signifying 'one taken with the spear.' αἰχμαλωτίζω is the causative verb form, meaning 'to make someone captive.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
αἰχμαλωτίζω primarily occurs in military and conquest contexts, denoting the act of seizing and transporting prisoners. In Hellenistic and early Roman usage, the term refers to the forceful capture and removal of individuals or populations during armed conflict. Within the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears both literally—in reference to military conquest or exile—and figuratively, including mental or spiritual subjugation (e.g. 2 Corinthians 10:5 uses it metaphorically for overpowering thoughts). English translations usually employ 'lead captive' or 'bring into captivity,' but the underlying Greek emphasizes the violence and coercion involved in the original contexts. The concept is distinct from λαγχάνω ('to obtain by lot'), which lacks this sense of forcible seizure. This verb is rooted in war and conquest language as early as classical Greek, but was frequently adapted metaphorically in later periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from αἰχμάλωτος; to make captive:--lead away captive, bring into captivity.
Root Family
αἰχμαλωτίζω (aichmalōtizō) — to take captive, to lead away as a prisoner, to bring into captivity
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G163-03 |
αἰχμαλωτίζοντες | aichmalotizontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
lead captive | taking captive | 2 |
G163-01 |
αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται | aichmalotisthesontai | V FUT PASS IND 3P PL |
will be led captive | they will be taken captive | 1 |
G163-02 |
αἰχμαλωτίζοντά | aichmalotizonta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG |
taking captive | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G163-01 |
Luke 21:24 | αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται | aichmalotisthesontai | V FUT PASS IND 3P PL |
will be led captive | they will be taken captive |
G163-02 |
Romans 7:23 | αἰχμαλωτίζοντά | aichmalotizonta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG |
taking captive | |
G163-03 |
2 Corinthians 10:5 | αἰχμαλωτίζοντες | aichmalotizontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
taking captive | |
G163-03 |
2 Timothy 3:6 | αἰχμαλωτίζοντες | aichmalotizontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
lead captive | taking captive |