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ἐμπρήθω

emprḗthō

G1714 verb

SILEX Entry

Root πρηθ- to burn, to blow (in sense of fanning fire)

Definition

to set on fire, to ignite, to burn something by kindling; refers to the act of causing something to catch fire, whether literally (to ignite wood or material), or figuratively (to inflame feelings, stir up conflict or discord, though this figurative sense is very rare or unattested in extant Koine literature).

Semantic Range

to set on fire, to cause to burn, to ignite, to burn up, to kindle, to incinerate

Root / Etymology

Derived from ἐν (in, on) and πρήθω (prēthō, 'to blow, to burn, to blow up' in the sense of igniting by blowing). The verb πρήθω is an older Greek word for burning, especially by means of blowing. Thus, ἐμπρήθω literally means 'to burn in' or 'to ignite by blowing into.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐμπρήθω denotes the literal act of setting something on fire, typically by introducing flame directly or via fanning/blowing. It appears primarily in genres describing destruction (e.g., burning cities, property, or chaff). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is rare and primarily refers to literal incineration (e.g., burning up chaff in judgment imagery). Standard English translations such as 'burn up' or 'consume by fire' capture the immediate sense, though they miss the nuance of 'kindling' or the means by which the fire is set. There is limited evidence for a figurative sense in period Greek and its use is generally concrete, not metaphorical. It is not identical to other Greek verbs for 'to burn' (καίω, πυρόω, φλογίζω), but specifically conveys the idea of setting fire intentionally and often with intervention (blowing, fanning, igniting).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and (to blow a flame); to enkindle, i.e. set on fire:--burn up.

Root Family

ἐμπρήθω (emprēthō) — to burn, to ignite, to kindle, to set on fire

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1714-01 ἐνέπρησεν enepresen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he ignited 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1714-01 Matthew 22:7 ἐνέπρησεν enepresen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he ignited
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