ἀντί (G473) — Greek Lexicon

ἀντί

antí

G473 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root ἀντ- opposition, substitution, exchange, correspondence

Definition

A preposition primarily meaning 'in place of,' 'instead of,' or 'in exchange for,' expressing the idea of opposition, substitution, or equivalence. It can connote direct contrast ('opposite to'), exchange or substitution ('in place of,' 'for'), or grounds ('because of'). Less commonly, it designates correspondence or proportion. Its meaning is determined by context but centers on concepts of replacement and relational opposition.

Semantic Range

opposite, instead of, in place of, in exchange for, for (in the sense of substitution), in return for, because of, as compensation, in correspondence to

Root / Etymology

From the prepositional root ἀντί, possibly related to older Indo-European roots signifying opposition or being 'face to face.' Etymologically parallels Latin 'ante-' in some respects, though semantic range differs.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀντί most often denotes 'opposite' or 'in place of,' used both spatially and figuratively. In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew terms such as תַּחַת (taḥat, 'under,' 'instead of'), indicating substitution, replacement, or equivalence. In the New Testament, it is rare but appears in phrases like ἀντὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ (Matt 2:22, 'in place of the son') and ἀντὶ ... ἀντί (Matt 20:28, 'as a ransom for many'), where it expresses substitution or exchange. Its use in compounds (e.g., ἀντιλέγω, 'to speak against') is frequent and intensive, often denoting opposition, contrast, or retaliation. Standard English translations as 'for' or 'instead of' are sometimes too narrow, as ἀντί can also express general contrast, reciprocal relations, or causal grounds. In some Hellenistic and legal contexts, it signals 'in return for' or even 'as compensation.' The particle continues to function productively in Koine through compound formations that sustain its sense of opposition or substitution.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary particle; opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to):--for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.

Root Family

ἀντί (anti) — opposition, substitution, exchange, correspondence

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G473-02`	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of	17
`G473-01`	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	because	in place of	5

Occurrences in Scripture

22 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G473-02`	Matthew 2:22	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	in place of	in place of
`G473-02`	Matthew 5:38	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`		in place of
`G473-02`	Matthew 5:38	ἀντὶ	anti-2	`PREP GEN`		in place of
`G473-02`	Matthew 17:27	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`		in place of
`G473-02`	Matthew 20:28	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`		in place of
`G473-02`	Mark 10:45	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-01`	Luke 1:20	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	because	in place of
`G473-02`	Luke 11:11	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	instead of	in place of
`G473-01`	Luke 12:3	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	Therefore	in place of
`G473-01`	Luke 19:44	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	because	in place of
`G473-02`	John 1:16	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-01`	Acts 12:23	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	because	in place of
`G473-02`	Romans 12:17	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-02`	1 Corinthians 11:15	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-02`	Ephesians 5:31	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	For this reason	in place of
`G473-02`	1 Thessalonians 5:15	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-01`	2 Thessalonians 2:10	ἀνθ’	anth	`PREP GEN`	because	in place of
`G473-02`	Hebrews 12:2	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`		in place of
`G473-02`	Hebrews 12:16	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-02`	James 4:15	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	Instead of	in place of
`G473-02`	1 Peter 3:9	ἀντὶ	anti	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of
`G473-02`	1 Peter 3:9	ἀντὶ	anti-2	`PREP GEN`	for	in place of

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