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μισθαποδότης

misthapodótēs

G3406 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who gives a reward, recompense, or payment; specifically, one who pays wages or compensates for services rendered. In extended uses, refers to anyone who repays or remunerates, whether with tangible wages, benefits, or honors, depending on the context.

Semantic Range

one who pays wages, one who recompenses, one who gives a reward, remunerator, rewarder

Root / Etymology

Compound of μισθός ('wages, reward, recompense') and ἀποδίδωμι ('to give back, return, pay'). Literally, 'one who pays back wages' or 'one who gives a reward.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term μισθαποδότης is rare in classical Greek and is found predominantly in later Greek, particularly in Jewish and Christian literature. Its only attestation in the New Testament is Hebrews 11:6, where it characterizes God as one who rewards those who seek Him. In this text, the term conveys the idea of God responding to human faith or action with a recompense, not limited to monetary payment but broadly encompassing divine favor, blessing, or fulfillment of promises. In Hellenistic Greek, related words (like μισθαποδοσία 'recompense, payment') appear in both secular and religious contexts for any type of remuneration or repayment. English translations often use 'rewarder' or 'one who rewards,' but the term encompasses both material and immaterial returns, and its nuance depends on context. Its formation parallels other agent nouns in Greek (ending in -της), which mark the agent or actor performing the root action. Distinct from words indicating 'giver' (e.g., δότης) without the nuance of repayment or response to an action.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μισθόω and ἀποδίδωμι; a renumerator:--rewarder.

Root Family

μισθ-ἀποδοτ- (misthapodótēs) — to pay wages, to repay, to recompense

Root μισθ-ἀποδοτ- to pay wages, to repay, to recompense

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3406-01 μισθαποδότης misthapodotes N NOM M SG rewarder wage-repayer wage-repayer 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3406-01 Hebrews 11:6 μισθαποδότης misthapodotes N NOM M SG rewarder wage-repayer wage-repayer
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