θηριομαχέω
thēriomachéō
G2341 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To fight with wild animals (literally: to engage in combat against beasts), typically in the context of public spectacles such as gladiatorial games; by extension, to struggle fiercely with violent or dangerous opponents. In literal contexts, refers to actual combat with animals; in figurative or metaphorical contexts, signifies enduring or combating extreme dangers or hostile people, characterized by intense opposition or peril.
Semantic Range
to engage in combat with wild beasts in the arena, to fight for one's life in gladiatorial games, to confront deadly or violent opposition metaphorically, to endure intense trials or persecution
Root / Etymology
From the compound of θηρίον (wild animal, beast) and μάχομαι (to fight); literally, 'to fight with beasts.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The literal sense of θηριομαχέω refers to gladiatorial combat with wild animals—a specific phenomenon in the Greco-Roman world, generally for public entertainment or as a form of execution. Its only New Testament occurrence is in 1 Corinthians 15:32, where Paul uses it either metaphorically (most likely) to describe his struggles with hostile opponents in Ephesus, or possibly alludes hyperbolically to intense dangers faced. No evidence suggests Paul participated in literal beast-fights. The metaphorical use for facing severe trials or deadly hostility may be unique to the Pauline context. The term is not found in earlier Greek outside technical or documentary references to the games. Standard English translations often render this as 'fought with wild beasts,' but the referent is almost always understood metaphorically in early Christian literature, lacking the connotation of formal gladiatorial combat for Paul. In post-NT sources, θηριομαχέω could refer both to actual combat in the arena and to metaphorical life-threatening conflict (martyr accounts).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of θηρίον and μάχομαι; to be a beast-fighter (in the gladiatorial show), i.e. (figuratively) to encounter (furious men):--fight with wild beasts.
Root Family
θηριομαχέω (thēriomachéō) — fight with wild beasts, engage in fierce combat, contend against deadly opposition
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2341-01 |
ἐθηριομάχησα | etheriomachesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I fought with wild beasts | I fought wild beasts | I fought wild beasts | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2341-01 |
1 Corinthians 15:32 | ἐθηριομάχησα | etheriomachesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I fought with wild beasts | I fought wild beasts | I fought wild beasts |