λοιδορέω

loidoréō

G3058 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To abuse verbally, insult, or revile; to subject someone to harsh, contemptuous, or degrading language. In various contexts, it involves speaking injuriously, heaping insults, or casting aspersions with words. The term may also include the expression of contempt or slander through verbal attack.

Semantic Range

to abuse verbally, to insult, to revile, to heap reproaches on, to slander, to publicly shame, to cast aspersions, to speak abusively

Root / Etymology

From λοίδορος (loídoros; abusive, reviling, reproachful person) + verb ending -έω, forming an active verb. The underlying root is λοίδ-, related to abuse or insult. No secure Attic cognate; the word is found in Hellenistic Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, λοιδορέω denotes strong verbal abuse or slandering, often implying an intent to harm, insult, or publicly shame. It is frequently used in polemical contexts or legal disputes. In the Septuagint, it commonly translates Hebrew terms meaning 'to taunt' or 'to reproach.' In the New Testament, λοιδορέω appears in contexts describing mistreatment, such as abusive speech toward a person (e.g., Jesus, disciples), and is sometimes contrasted with physical violence. English translations often use 'revile' or 'insult,' but the meaning in Greek emphasizes particularly aggressive or degrading verbal treatment, going beyond simple criticism. Related words include βλασφημέω (to blaspheme) and ὀνειδίζω (to reproach), though λοιδορέω emphasizes the abusive or mocking aspect.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from λοίδορος; to reproach, i.e. vilify:--revile.

Root Family

λοιδορέω (loidoréō) — to insult, to abuse verbally, to revile

Root λοίδ- to insult, to abuse verbally, to revile

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3058-01 ἐλοιδόρησαν eloidoresan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they reviled they verbally abused they reviled 1
G3058-04 λοιδορούμενος loidoroumenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG being reviled one being insulted being insulted 1
G3058-02 λοιδορεῖς loidoreis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG revile you are reviling you are reviling 1
G3058-03 λοιδορούμενοι loidoroumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being reviled being verbally abused being verbally abused 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3058-01 John 9:28 ἐλοιδόρησαν eloidoresan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they reviled they verbally abused they reviled
G3058-02 Acts 23:4 λοιδορεῖς loidoreis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG revile you are reviling you are reviling
G3058-03 1 Corinthians 4:12 λοιδορούμενοι loidoroumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being reviled being verbally abused being verbally abused
G3058-04 1 Peter 2:23 λοιδορούμενος loidoroumenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG being reviled one being insulted being insulted