ἡττάω
hēttáō
G2274 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To defeat or overcome someone; to make someone inferior or subject, either in a literal contest or metaphorically in status, influence, or moral strength. In various contexts, it may refer to being made subordinate, to experiencing defeat or loss, or (in a reflexive or passive sense) to being overcome or bested (e.g., by desires or opponents). The semantic range includes both external defeat in a conflict and internal defeat by passions or weaknesses.
Semantic Range
to defeat in contest, to overcome an opponent, to make inferior or subordinate, to rate or treat as less, to be overcome (by passions, desires, or adversaries), to be worsted
Root / Etymology
Derived from the comparative adjective ἥττων (hēttōn, 'less, inferior'), itself from the root ἡ- (relating to lesser, weaker, inferior), plus the verb-forming ending -άω. Cognate with ἡττάομαι (middle), the deponent/reflexive form meaning 'to be defeated.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἡττάω appears primarily with the sense of defeating, overcoming, or making someone or something worse/off in some way. The passive and middle forms (esp. ἡττάομαι) are common, expressing the sense of being defeated or overcome (including by things such as passions, desires, or circumstances). In the Septuagint, the verb appears infrequently, usually signifying defeat in battle or humiliation. In the New Testament (cf. 2 Peter 2:19–20), it refers to being morally or spiritually overcome or enslaved (e.g., being overcome by corruption). English translations often use 'be overcome,' 'be enslaved,' or 'be inferior,' but these can sometimes obscure the defeat/subjugation nuance. Related words include νικάω ('to conquer, prevail') and κρατέω ('to gain mastery, seize'), which often appear in contrast. The moral and metaphorical uses developed further in later Greek, particularly in philosophical and ethical contexts, to indicate being mastered by vice or failing in virtue.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as ἥττον; to make worse, i.e. vanquish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to rate lower:--be inferior, overcome.
Root Family
ἡττ- (hēttáō) — to defeat, to make inferior, to overcome
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2275 | ἥττημα | defeat |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2274-01 |
ἡσσώθητε | essothete | V AOR PASS IND 2P PL |
you were inferior | you were overcome | you were made inferior | 1 |
G2274-02 |
ἥττηται | ettetai | V PRF MID IND 3P SG |
is overcome | he has been overcome | has been overcome | 1 |
G2274-03 |
ἡττῶνται | ettontai | V PRF MID IND 3P PL |
overcome | they are being overcome | they are being overcome | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2274-01 |
2 Corinthians 12:13 | ἡσσώθητε | essothete | V AOR PASS IND 2P PL |
you were inferior | you were overcome | you were made inferior |
G2274-02 |
2 Peter 2:19 | ἥττηται | ettetai | V PRF MID IND 3P SG |
is overcome | he has been overcome | has been overcome |
G2274-03 |
2 Peter 2:20 | ἡττῶνται | ettontai | V PRF MID IND 3P PL |
overcome | they are being overcome | they are being overcome |