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παλαιόω

palaióō

G3822 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make old, to become old, or to grow obsolete; can indicate physical aging or wearing out, as well as the figurative sense of becoming outdated or no longer valid. In extended usage, refers to the process of something or someone losing vigor, value, or relevance, either through age or obsolescence.

Semantic Range

to make old, to age, to become old, to wear out, to declare obsolete, to lose validity, to decay, to deteriorate

Root / Etymology

From the adjective παλαιός (old, ancient), formed by adding the causative verb suffix -όω, thus 'to make old' or 'to become old.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, παλαιόω is used both transitively ('to make old') and intransitively ('to become old'). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often carries a figurative sense, especially in reference to covenants, laws, or things deemed obsolete (e.g., Hebrews 8:13, referring to the 'old' covenant becoming obsolete). This sense ties physical aging with the concept of being superseded, rather than merely temporal age. English translations such as 'decay' or 'become obsolete' do not always differentiate between natural aging and being rendered obsolete by replacement. The verb does not carry a specifically religious connotation in Koine Greek but is contextually significant when used for covenants or legal realities in the NT. Its usage contrasts with terms like καινόω ('to make new, renew'), highlighting discontinuity or supersession.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παλαιός; to make (passively, become) worn out, or declare obsolete:--decay, make (wax) old.

Root Family

παλαι- (palaiós) — old, ancient, previous

Root παλαι- to make old, to become old, to render obsolete
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3820 παλαιός old things
G3821 παλαιότης in oldness

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3822-01 παλαιωθήσονται palaiothesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL will wear out they will be made old they will be made old 1
G3822-02 παλαιούμενα palaioumena V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N PL not wear out being made old wearing out 1
G3822-03 παλαιούμενον palaioumenon V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N SG is becoming obsolete being made old being made old 1
G3822-04 πεπαλαίωκεν pepalaioken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG He has made old has rendered obsolete has rendered obsolete 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3822-02 Luke 12:33 παλαιούμενα palaioumena V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N PL not wear out being made old wearing out
G3822-01 Hebrews 1:11 παλαιωθήσονται palaiothesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL will wear out they will be made old they will be made old
G3822-04 Hebrews 8:13 πεπαλαίωκεν pepalaioken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG He has made old has rendered obsolete has rendered obsolete
G3822-03 Hebrews 8:13 παλαιούμενον palaioumenon V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N SG is becoming obsolete being made old being made old
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