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πιπράσκω

pipráskō

G4097 verb

SILEX Entry

Root πρασκ- to sell, to dispose of in exchange for value

Definition

To sell, especially to dispose of property, goods, or persons as merchandise or into servitude. In the New Testament and related literature, πιπράσκω most commonly refers to selling objects or, in some contexts, selling people (including oneself) into slavery or bondage. The verb may also carry the sense of exchanging possession in return for payment, or of being delivered over to another's control, both literally and metaphorically. In extended or figurative sense, to be 'sold under' a condition (e.g., sold under sin) means to fall under complete control of or subjection to that condition.

Semantic Range

to sell (goods, property, persons); to sell into slavery or bondage; to deliver over for a price; to be sold (passive or perfect, especially of persons); to betray or hand over (metaphorical, especially for subjection or betrayal)

Root / Etymology

From a contracted form linked to πέραν (to cross, pass over), with the base sense of crossing a boundary (such as in a transaction), but the precise etymological path is uncertain. Related to πέπρακα (perfect active form, 'I have sold').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πιπράσκω denotes the act of selling, sometimes with nuance of commercial transaction or barter. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, as found in the Septuagint and New Testament, its sense encompasses both the literal sale of goods and people, including into slavery (e.g., Genesis 37:28 LXX; Matthew 18:25). The passive or perfect form may also imply 'having been sold'—particularly with people, implying transfer of ownership or status (see Romans 7:14, 'sold under sin'). The verb can acquire a strong connotation of forced sale, betrayal, or loss of autonomy, especially in metaphoric use. The English word 'sell' often matches the basic sense but may not convey the full force of involuntary or dehumanizing sale present in some biblical contexts, particularly when referring to enslavement or to metaphoric bondage. πιπράσκω is distinct from ἀγοράζω, which generally emphasizes buying rather than selling, and from διδόναι (to give), which lacks the monetary or transactional sense. It appears in Septuagint narratives of ancient Israelite slavery and exile, and in New Testament parables and ethical teachings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contracted from (to traverse; from the base of πέραν); to traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively):--sell.

Root Family

πιπράσκω (pipraskō) — to sell, to dispose of in exchange for value

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4097-07 πραθῆναι prathenai V AOR PASS INF sold to be sold 3
G4097-05 πιπρασκομένων pipraskomenon V PRS PASS PTCP GEN N PL things being sold of things being sold 1
G4097-01 ἐπίπρασκον epipraskon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were selling they were selling 1
G4097-02 ἐπράθη eprathe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG sold was sold 1
G4097-03 πέπρακεν pepraken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has sold 1
G4097-06 πραθὲν prathen V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG sold having been sold 1
G4097-04 πεπραμένος pepramenos V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been sold 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4097-03 Matthew 13:46 πέπρακεν pepraken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has sold
G4097-07 Matthew 18:25 πραθῆναι prathenai V AOR PASS INF to be sold
G4097-07 Matthew 26:9 πραθῆναι prathenai V AOR PASS INF to be sold
G4097-07 Mark 14:5 πραθῆναι prathenai V AOR PASS INF sold to be sold
G4097-02 John 12:5 ἐπράθη eprathe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG sold was sold
G4097-01 Acts 2:45 ἐπίπρασκον epipraskon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were selling they were selling
G4097-05 Acts 4:34 πιπρασκομένων pipraskomenon V PRS PASS PTCP GEN N PL things being sold of things being sold
G4097-06 Acts 5:4 πραθὲν prathen V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG sold having been sold
G4097-04 Romans 7:14 πεπραμένος pepramenos V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been sold
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