ἐξολοθρεύω (G1842) — Greek Lexicon

ἐξολοθρεύω

exolothreúō

G1842 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ὀλοθρευ- to destroy, to annihilate, to remove utterly

Definition

To utterly destroy, eradicate, or remove completely; to eliminate or annihilate thoroughly, especially referring to the complete removal of persons or things. The term conveys the sense of total destruction, often with an implication of forceful or decisive action, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to denote extirpation or utter elimination.

Semantic Range

to utterly destroy, to extirpate, to annihilate, to eradicate, to cut off completely, to remove by total destruction

Root / Etymology

From ἐκ ('out of, from') and ὀλοθρεύω ('to destroy, to cause ruin or destruction'). The compound intensifies the sense of complete or thorough destruction, with ἐκ emphasizing 'out from' or 'completely.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Septuagint, ἐξολοθρεύω is frequently used to translate Hebrew terms (such as הִשְׁמִיד, 'to destroy/annihilate') referring to the divine destruction or removal of peoples, often in the context of judgment or banishment from the Israelite community. In the New Testament it is rare but retains the strong sense of utter elimination. The word appears only in later and Hellenistic Greek, not in classical Greek. English translations like 'destroy' or 'utterly destroy' approximate but sometimes fail to convey the absolute, final sense present in the Greek usage. Related nouns (e.g., ὀλοθρευτής) likewise indicate an agent of utter destruction. The term is stronger than more general words for 'destroy' (e.g., ἀπόλλυμι), specifying a total or ultimate removal, often as mandated by legal, ritual, or divine decree.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and ὀλοθρεύω; to extirpate:--destroy.

Root Family

ἐξολοθρεύω (exolothreuō) — utterly destroy, annihilate, eradicate, remove completely

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G1842-01`	ἐξολεθρευθήσεται	exolethreuthesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	shall be destroyed	will be utterly destroyed	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G1842-01`	Acts 3:23	ἐξολεθρευθήσεται	exolethreuthesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	shall be destroyed	will be utterly destroyed

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