ἐξορκίζω
exorkízō
G1844 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause someone to swear or bind themselves by an oath, to solemnly charge or command someone under the threat or invocation of an oath; in certain contexts, to employ a formula or ritual to invoke a supernatural power, including the invocation of oaths in exorcism or adjuration contexts. While the core sense is to bind by an oath, it can refer to both formal legal-political oaths and ritual or magical adjurations.
Semantic Range
to solemnly exact or demand an oath, to put under oath, to adjure (especially in judicial or ritual contexts), to command or invoke by oath (including in exorcism or magical formulae), to charge solemnly
Root / Etymology
From ἐκ (out of, from) and ὁρκίζω (to administer an oath). ὁρκίζω is itself derived from ὅρκος (oath), so ἐξορκίζω fundamentally indicates making someone swear out or extracting an oath from someone.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐξορκίζω primarily refers to making someone swear an oath or putting someone under strict obligation through the invocation of an oath, often with religious or judicial solemnity. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, especially in magical and ritual literature, it broadens to include commanding or invoking spiritual powers or entities by means of a spoken oath or formula, a use reflected in later magical papyri and some New Testament/Second Temple literature (e.g., adjuring spirits or demons). English translations often render it as 'adjure,' 'charge solemnly,' or 'conjure,' though 'conjure' in modern English can carry meaning beyond the historical usage. In New Testament contexts (e.g., Mark 5:7; Acts 19:13), the term may be associated with exorcism rituals, wherein one seeks to control a spiritual being through a binding oath. The semantic scope in Koine Greek thus includes both binding humans to promises and the ritual invocation of supernatural enforcement, a nuance not always adequately captured in English renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and ὁρκίζω; to exact an oath, i.e. conjure:--adjure.
Root Family
ἐξορκίζω (exorkizō) — to make swear, to bind by oath, to adjure
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1844-01 |
ἐξορκίζω | exorkizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I bind by oath | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1844-01 |
Matthew 26:63 | ἐξορκίζω | exorkizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I bind by oath |