προδότης (G4273) — Greek Lexicon

προδότης

prodótēs

G4273 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who delivers or hands over another person, especially in violation of trust or allegiance. In Greek, προδότης typically denotes an individual who betrays or surrenders someone to an opposing side or authority, often for personal gain or under pressure. The term is used for a betrayer, traitor, or one who is disloyal by giving up a person, group, or cause to an enemy or adversary. Contextually, it implies conscious and willful betrayal, rather than accidental or indirect disloyalty.

Semantic Range

betrayer, traitor, one who delivers another to authority, one who surrenders another to an enemy, one guilty of disloyalty or treachery

Root / Etymology

From the verb προδίδωμι (to give over, to betray, to hand over), combining πρό (before, forth) and δίδωμι (to give); thus, literally 'one who gives forward/over.' Cognate with Latin 'proditor.' The root is προδ- (to betray, to hand over).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical usage, προδότης appears infrequently, typically in the sense of 'betrayer of a friend, homeland, or cause.' During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term acquired intense opprobrium, especially in political and social contexts, denoting one who betrays their own city, people, or allies. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52; 2 Timothy 3:4), προδότης is used both specifically (as of Judas Iscariot) and generically for those who are faithless or disloyal, especially in relation to covenants, communities, or fellowships. Septuagint usage is rare to non-existent, with similar concepts commonly rendered using παραδίδωμι (to hand over) or related terms. Standard English renderings such as 'traitor' or 'betrayer' approximate the meaning, but may understate the nuance of deliberate, trust-violating handover implied in the original Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from προδίδωμι (in the sense of giving forward into another's (the enemy's) hands); a surrender:--betrayer, traitor.

Root Family

προδότης (prodótēs) — to betray, to hand over, to surrender

Root προδ- to betray, to hand over, to surrender

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4273-01`	προδόται	prodotai	`N NOM M PL`	betrayers	betrayers	betrayers	2
`G4273-02`	προδότης	prodotes	`N NOM M SG`	a traitor	betrayer	betrayer	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4273-02`	Luke 6:16	προδότης	prodotes	`N NOM M SG`	a traitor	betrayer	betrayer
`G4273-01`	Acts 7:52	προδόται	prodotai	`N NOM M PL`	betrayers	betrayers	betrayers
`G4273-01`	2 Timothy 3:4	προδόται	prodotai	`N NOM M PL`	traitors	betrayers	betrayers

← G4272 Greek Lexicon G4274 →