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ἑτοιμάζω

hetoimázō

G2090 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make ready, to prepare, to put in a state suitable for a future use or event. The verb denotes the act of arranging, setting in order, or equipping people, objects, or events in advance. In extended or figurative contexts, it can mean to provide, appoint, or establish something as ready for a particular purpose.

Semantic Range

to make ready (in general), to prepare for a specific use, to arrange or set in order, to provide or furnish, to appoint (in the sense of readiness), to establish as suitable; by extension, to equip or make fit

Root / Etymology

From the adjective ἕτοιμος (ready, prepared) plus the verb-forming suffix -άζω, denoting causative action: 'to make ready.' Cognate with κατασκευάζω, which emphasizes the process of constructing or building as preparation, whereas ἑτοιμάζω focuses on rendering something suitable or fit for use.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἑτοιμάζω is attested from classical Greek onward but is widely used in Hellenistic and Koine Greek. In the Septuagint, it translates several Hebrew verbs indicating preparation or making ready, commonly in cultic, domestic, and military contexts (e.g., preparing sacrifices, meals, or armies). In the New Testament, it retains this broad sense: preparing a place (e.g., John 14:2–3), making arrangements (e.g., Luke 22:8, the Passover meal), or referring metaphorically to God preparing people, events, or salvation (e.g., 1 Corinthians 2:9). The distinction with κατασκευάζω is subtle but important: κατασκευάζω often implies physical construction/preparation, while ἑτοιμάζω covers more general, not necessarily spatial or material, readiness. English versions usually translate ἑτοιμάζω as 'prepare,' 'make ready,' or 'provide,' but nuances may be lost in translation—especially where non-physical, figurative, or divinely initiated preparation is in view.

Translation Consistency

primary "prepare" 25 occurrences

‘Prepare’ most naturally and consistently captures the primary sense “to make ready / set in order” across the SILEX range (including equip, appoint, provide). It is the common, idiomatic English equivalent for ἑτοιμάζω and fits both literal and extended uses better than the overly broad ‘make’ or the less flexible ‘ready’.

Alternatives (15 occurrences):
"prepare, all of" (7x) "having been made ready" (4x) "make ready" (3x) "having made ready" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἕτοιμος; to prepare:--prepare, provide, make ready. Compare κατασκευάζω.

Root Family

ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō) — to make ready, to prepare, to provide

Root ἑτοιμ- to make ready, to prepare, to provide

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2090-05 ἑτοιμάσατε etoimasate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Prepare Make ready prepare, all of you 7
G2090-03 ἡτοίμασαν etoimasan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they prepared they made ready they prepared 6
G2090-02 ἑτοιμάσαι etoimasai V AOR ACT INF to prepare to make ready to prepare 4
G2090-06 ἡτοίμασεν etoimasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG has made ready he/she made ready he/she prepared 3
G2090-12 ἑτοιμάσωμέν etoimasomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL and prepare let us make ready let us prepare 3
G2090-10 ἡτοιμασμένον etoimasmenon V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG prepared having been made ready having been prepared 3
G2090-04 ἡτοίμασας etoimasas V AOR ACT IND 2P SG you have prepared you made ready you prepared 3
G2090-14 ἡτοίμασται etoimastai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it has been prepared has been made ready has been prepared 2
G2090-07 ἡτοιμασμένην etoimasmenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG made ready having been made ready having been made ready 2
G2090-15 ἑτοιμασθῇ etoimasthe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG might be prepared may be made ready might be prepared 1

Occurrences in Scripture

40 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2090-05 Matthew 3:3 ἑτοιμάσατε etoimasate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Prepare Make ready prepare, all of you
G2090-14 Matthew 20:23 ἡτοίμασται etoimastai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it has been prepared has been made ready it has been prepared
G2090-01 Matthew 22:4 ἡτοίμακα etoimaka V PRF ACT IND 1P SG I have prepared I have made ready I have prepared
G2090-07 Matthew 25:34 ἡτοιμασμένην etoimasmenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG prepared having been made ready having been made ready
G2090-10 Matthew 25:41 ἡτοιμασμένον etoimasmenon V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG prepared having been made ready having been prepared
G2090-12 Matthew 26:17 ἑτοιμάσωμέν etoimasomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL we prepare let us make ready let us prepare
G2090-03 Matthew 26:19 ἡτοίμασαν etoimasan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they prepared they made ready they prepared
G2090-05 Mark 1:3 ἑτοιμάσατε etoimasate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Prepare Make ready prepare, all of you
G2090-14 Mark 10:40 ἡτοίμασται etoimastai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it has been prepared has been made ready has been prepared
G2090-12 Mark 14:12 ἑτοιμάσωμεν etoimasomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL and prepare let us make ready let us prepare
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