ὀλοθρεύω
olothreúō
G3645 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To destroy utterly, bring to complete ruin, or cause total death or annihilation; in context, often to put to death, especially as an act of decisive or divine judgment. This verb denotes the act of causing something or someone to perish without remainder, emphasizing total eradication or ruin either physically, socially, or spiritually depending on the context.
Semantic Range
to utterly destroy, to exterminate, to put to death (especially as an act of judgment), to bring to ruin, to cause total annihilation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun ὄλεθρος (ólethros, 'ruin, destruction, death'), itself from the root ὀλ- with the verb-forming suffix -ευω. The root connotes ruin, loss, or eradication. No certain non-Greek etymology.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὀλοθρεύω is a rare verb, primarily encountered in Hellenistic and later Greek, including the Septuagint. In the LXX (e.g., Exodus 12:23, 29:41), it often translates Hebrew verbs meaning 'to destroy' or 'to strike down,' frequently in contexts of divine judgment, such as the death of the firstborn in Egypt. In the New Testament, it does not appear, but its cognate noun ὄλεθρος is found. The verb's semantic force in Koine is more intensive than more general terms for 'destroy' (e.g. ἀπόλλυμι), highlighting a sense of totality and finality. English translations usually render it as 'destroy,' 'slay,' or 'put to death,' but this may obscure the emphasis on utter annihilation or ruin inherent in the term. The verb is absent or rare in earlier Attic Greek, emerging more distinctly in Hellenistic literary and religious contexts where destruction as divine action is emphasized.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὄλεθρος; to spoil, i.e. slay:--destroy.
Root Family
ὀλοθρεύω (olothreuō) — to destroy utterly, to bring to ruin, to put to death
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3645-01 |
ὀλοθρεύων | olothreuon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
destroyer | the one destroying utterly | the destroyer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3645-01 |
Hebrews 11:28 | ὀλοθρεύων | olothreuon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
destroyer | the one destroying utterly | the destroyer |