μεθίστημι (G3179) — Greek Lexicon

μεθίστημι

methístēmi

G3179 verb

SILEX Entry

Root μεθ-ἱστημι to move, to set, to place, to cause to stand, to change position

Definition

To cause someone or something to move from one place or position to another; to transfer, remove, or displace either physically or metaphorically. In different contexts, it can refer to causing a change in status (such as deposing from an office), moving from one situation or state to another, or inducing someone to change their allegiance or way of thinking. The sense of movement or transition—whether literal or figurative—is core to this term.

Semantic Range

to transfer, to remove (physically or metaphorically), to depose (from office), to carry away, to change allegiance, to cause to change state or condition, to divert, to exchange

Root / Etymology

From μετά (with, after, change of place or state) and ἵστημι (to set, place, cause to stand). The compound thus conveys the idea of causing to stand in another place or state, i.e., to transfer or remove.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μεθίστημι appears with the literal sense of transferring a person, object, or even a city to another place or state, such as moving residents or changing alignment. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the verb retains the sense of transferring, often taking on metaphorical dimensions—for example, removing someone from an office (deposing), moving someone from one state of being to another, or diverting someone from their previous beliefs or practices. In the Septuagint, it can translate various Hebrew verbs relating to removal or displacement, and sometimes implies divine action as in the removal of kings. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 13:22; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:5), it can refer to deposing rulers, transferring persons spiritually or physically, or translating someone (as with Enoch). Standard English translations such as 'remove,' 'transfer,' 'depose,' or 'translate' reflect some, but not all, of its semantic scope. The nuance of mental or social change is also present but less prominent. The term is somewhat broader than English 'remove,' as it can imply both peaceful and forceful transition, physical or metaphorical movement, and even a change of allegiance or loyalty.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and ἵστημι; to transfer, i.e. carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce:--put out, remove, translate, turn away.

Root Family

μεθίστημι (methistēmi) — to move, to transfer, to remove, to cause to stand elsewhere, to change position or state

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G3179-03`	μετέστησεν	metestesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	transferred	he transferred	2
`G3179-04`	μεθιστάναι	methistanai	`V PRS ACT INF`	to remove	to transfer	1
`G3179-02`	μεταστήσας	metastesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having removed	having transferred	1
`G3179-01`	μετασταθῶ	metastatho	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P SG`	I am removed	I might be transferred	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G3179-01`	Luke 16:4	μετασταθῶ	metastatho	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P SG`	I am removed	I might be transferred
`G3179-02`	Acts 13:22	μεταστήσας	metastesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having removed	having transferred
`G3179-03`	Acts 19:26	μετέστησεν	metestesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	turned away	he transferred
`G3179-04`	1 Corinthians 13:2	μεθιστάναι	methistanai	`V PRS ACT INF`	to remove	to transfer
`G3179-03`	Colossians 1:13	μετέστησεν	metestesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	transferred	he transferred

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