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κτίζω

ktízō

G2936 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To found, to create, to bring into being. κτίζω chiefly signifies the act of causing something to exist that did not exist before, whether through founding a city, establishing an institution, or originating the world or living beings. The word's primary sense is oriented toward creative activity, whether material, ethical, or organizational. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the verb is used in contexts ranging from the founding of cities and colonies to the creation of the cosmos or humankind. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is especially used of divine creative acts, but can also refer to the establishment or appointment of something new.

Semantic Range

to found (a city or institution), to create (the world or living beings), to bring into existence, to establish, to appoint (to a new status), to originate, to constitute (a new entity)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root κτί- (ktí-), related to the verb κτάομαι ('to acquire, to gain possession of'), though the connection is primarily morphological rather than semantically direct. Possible relation to κτίσις ('creation, foundation') and κτῆμα ('possession').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κτίζω most often refers to the founding of a city, colony, or institution—typically by a founder or group. In Hellenistic usage, the semantic range expands to acts of world-creation and to the generation of living beings. The Septuagint often employs κτίζω to translate Hebrew ברא (bara, 'to create') or יסד ('to found'), especially in narratives about the creation of the world (Genesis 1.1, Sirach 1.4). In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 1:25; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:16), κτίζω predominates as the verb for divine creation but also appears in metaphorical contexts (creating a new person, community, or reality). English versions commonly translate κτίζω as 'create' or 'make'; however, such translation may not always capture the nuance of founding or establishing. The semantic overlap with γεννάω ('to beget, give birth') or ποιέω ('to make, do') is partial: κτίζω stresses origination and foundational act, particularly from nothing or as a new initiative. The term is not restricted to acts of divine creation and can refer to human founding as well.

Translation Consistency

primary "create" 12 occurrences

κτίζω’s primary sense is bringing something into existence—founding, originating, or establishing—and its most common English renderings are forms of “create.” “Create” naturally covers divine cosmic creation as well as founding institutions or bringing into being new statuses, so it provides a consistent, natural English base verb for all forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"having brought into being" (1x) "brought into being" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to κτάομαι (through the idea of proprietorship of the manufacturer); to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally):--create, Creator, make.

Root Family

κτίζω (ktízō) — to found, to create, to bring into being

Root κτί- to found, to create, to bring into being

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2936-02 ἔκτισεν ektisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG created he brought into being he created 3
G2936-04 ἐκτίσθη ektisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was created was brought into being was created 2
G2936-05 ἐκτίσθησαν ektisthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were created they were created they were created 1
G2936-09 κτίσῃ ktise V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG He might create might bring into being might create 1
G2936-03 ἔκτισται ektistai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG have been created has been created have been created 1
G2936-10 κτισθέντα ktisthenta V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M SG created having been brought into being having been created 1
G2936-11 κτισθέντες ktisthentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL created having been created having been created 1
G2936-07 κτίσαντι ktisanti V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG created to the one who created created 1
G2936-08 κτίσαντος ktisantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG who created of the one having brought into being one having created 1
G2936-06 κτίσαντα ktisanta V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG Creator having brought into being the one having brought into being 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2936-02 Mark 13:19 ἔκτισεν ektisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG created he brought into being he created
G2936-06 Romans 1:25 κτίσαντα ktisanta V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG Creator having brought into being the one having brought into being
G2936-04 1 Corinthians 11:9 ἐκτίσθη ektisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was created was brought into being was created
G2936-11 Ephesians 2:10 κτισθέντες ktisthentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL created having been created having been created
G2936-09 Ephesians 2:15 κτίσῃ ktise V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG He might create might bring into being might create
G2936-07 Ephesians 3:9 κτίσαντι ktisanti V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG created to the one who created created
G2936-10 Ephesians 4:24 κτισθέντα ktisthenta V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M SG created having been brought into being having been created
G2936-04 Colossians 1:16 ἐκτίσθη ektisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG were created was brought into being were created
G2936-03 Colossians 1:16 ἔκτισται ektistai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG have been created has been created have been created
G2936-08 Colossians 3:10 κτίσαντος ktisantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG who created of the one having brought into being one having created
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