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ἀλλάσσω

allássō

G236 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make other than it was, to change, alter, transform. Primary lexical meaning is to effect a change in identity, form, state, or condition. The term may denote change in outward appearance, internal state, function, substance, or moral/spiritual condition, depending on context.

Semantic Range

to change, to alter, to transform, to make different, to exchange, to turn into something else, to replace

Root / Etymology

From ἄλλος (other, another) with a denominative verb ending -άσσω, forming a causative verb meaning 'to make other' or 'to cause to be different.' Related to other derivatives of ἄλλος such as ἀλλοῖος (of another sort) and ἀλλοτριόω (to estrange).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀλλάσσω appears from at least the 5th century BCE (e.g., Herodotus, Xenophon) and typically refers to changing or exchanging something (e.g. clothing, opinion, arrangement). In philosophical and scientific writings (e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Hippocratic corpus), it may describe transformation or alteration of substance, nature, or character. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint, it conveys both literal and figurative change — transformation of form, nature, or state. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52), it is used of changing physical or spiritual condition, such as the transformation of bodies. In English, 'change' sometimes fails to reflect the word's nuance of 'transformation' or 'becoming something else,' and does not always convey whether the change is external, internal, complete, or partial. Contrasting terms include μετατίθημι (to transfer, transpose), μεταμορφόω (to transform), and ἀνταλλάσσω (to exchange, more specifically). ἀλλάσσω serves as the general verb for making something different, whether the shift is functional, moral, physical, or ontological.

Translation Consistency

primary "change" 6 occurrences

ἀλλάσσω primarily denotes making something other than it was — altering, transforming, or exchanging its form, state, or identity. "Change" is the natural, widely applicable English verb that covers the full typical semantic range (alter, transform, replace) and will read smoothly across contexts while remaining faithful to the Greek meaning.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἄλλος; to make different:--change.

Root Family

ἀλλάσσω (allássō) — to change, to alter

Root ἀλλάσσω to make other, to change
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1259 διαλλάσσω Be reconciled
G2644 καταλλάσσω having been reconciled
G525 ἀπαλλάσσω to be set free

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G236-01 ἀλλαγησόμεθα allagesometha V FUT PASS IND 1P PL shall be changed we will be made other we will be changed 2
G236-02 ἀλλαγήσονται allagesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL they will be changed they will be changed they will be changed 1
G236-03 ἀλλάξαι allaxai V AOR ACT INF to change to make other to change 1
G236-04 ἀλλάξει allaxei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG shall change will change will change 1
G236-05 ἤλλαξαν ellaxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL exchanged they were changing they changed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G236-04 Acts 6:14 ἀλλάξει allaxei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG shall change will change will change
G236-05 Romans 1:23 ἤλλαξαν ellaxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL exchanged they were changing they changed
G236-01 1 Corinthians 15:51 ἀλλαγησόμεθα allagesometha V FUT PASS IND 1P PL will be changed we will be made other we will be changed
G236-01 1 Corinthians 15:52 ἀλλαγησόμεθα allagesometha V FUT PASS IND 1P PL shall be changed we will be made other we will be changed
G236-03 Galatians 4:20 ἀλλάξαι allaxai V AOR ACT INF to change to make other to change
G236-02 Hebrews 1:12 ἀλλαγήσονται allagesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL they will be changed they will be changed they will be changed
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