ἀκμάζω
akmázō
G187 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To reach the height of development or ripeness; to be at the peak or prime. Most often used of fruit being fully ripe, but also applies to people or things attaining full maturity, flourishing, or reaching the acme of their existence. In figurative contexts, describes the process or state of becoming fully developed or coming to perfection.
Semantic Range
to be at the peak or acme, to be mature, to be fully ripe, to be in one's prime, to flourish, to reach perfection, to be at the height of development
Root / Etymology
From ἀκμή (akmē), meaning 'point, edge, peak, prime', with the verb-forming suffix -άζω (-azō).
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἀκμάζω appears primarily in later Greek (post-classical, Hellenistic, and Koine) literature and papyri. In classical Greek, related terms (e.g., ἀκμή) referred to the literal point of a spear, or figuratively to a critical moment or peak of flourishing; ἀκμάζω develops this sense into a verbal form, often used in agricultural or biological contexts for ripeness or maturity. In the Koine period and later, it was used not only for crops or fruit but also metaphorically for people or periods being at their greatest effectiveness or vigor. The New Testament uses the term in the sense of being fully ripe (e.g. Revelation 14:15 in some textual traditions) but the term is rare, and its use always implies both fullness and readiness. Standard English translations often render it specifically as "to be fully ripe" or "to reach maturity," which reflects well the primary sense but may obscure the broader application to flourishing, being in one's prime, or reaching the highest point of development.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as ἀκμήν; to make a point, i.e. (figuratively) mature:--be fully ripe.
Root Family
ἀκμάζω (akmazō) — peak, point, maturity, ripeness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G187-01 |
ἤκμασαν | ekmasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
are-ripe | they reached full maturity | they are ripe | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G187-01 |
Revelation 14:18 | ἤκμασαν | ekmasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
are-ripe | they reached full maturity | they are ripe |