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ἀντιλέγω

antilégō

G483 verb

SILEX Entry

Root λεγ- to speak, to say, to oppose verbally

Definition

To speak against, oppose verbally, refute; specifically, to reply with contradiction, express disagreement, or assert the opposite of what another has said. In some contexts, it denotes open disputation or resistance to statements, instructions, or commands.

Semantic Range

to speak against, to contradict, to dispute, to oppose verbally, to refute, to deny, to gainsay, to disagree openly, to reject by word, to answer back (with contradiction)

Root / Etymology

From ἀντί (against, in opposition) and λέγω (to say, speak), literally meaning 'to speak against' or 'to say the opposite.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀντιλέγω appears rarely, typically in the sense of contradicting or speaking in opposition. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, its usage becomes more frequent, especially in legal, philosophical, and rhetorical contexts where verbal opposition or refutation is implied. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀντιλέγω often describes individuals or groups who verbally oppose or challenge others—sometimes figures of authority, sometimes divine messages. In the NT, it can describe disputation against Jesus or the apostles, but also more general contradiction or opposition (e.g., Luke 2:34; Acts 13:45). English Bible translations such as "contradict," "oppose," and "gainsay" reflect some but not all of the nuance—the Greek term does not always imply willful hostility but can cover any verbal contradiction or assertive dissent. No underlying assumption in Koine Greek that this word always involves disrespect or personal attack; rather, it denotes any act of speaking in opposition. Less commonly, it can extend to outright denial of statements or claims, or to legal resistance (as in court debates). Not to be confused with ἀποκρίνομαι (to answer, reply), which broadly covers neutral responses, not necessarily contradictory or adversarial ones.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀντί and λέγω; to dispute, refuse:--answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay(-er), speak against.

Root Family

ἀντιλέγω (antilégō) — to speak, to say, to oppose verbally, to contradict

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G483-07 ἀντιλέγοντας antilegontas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL argumentative speaking against 2
G483-01 ἀντειπεῖν anteipein V AOR ACT INF to refute to speak against 2
G483-02 ἀντέλεγον antelegon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL contradicting they were speaking against 1
G483-08 ἀντιλεγόντων antilegonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL the Jews objecting of those speaking against 1
G483-05 ἀντιλεγόμενον antilegomenon V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG spoken against being spoken against 1
G483-06 ἀντιλέγοντα antilegonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG gainsaying speaking against 1
G483-04 ἀντιλέγεται antilegetai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG it is spoken against is being spoken against 1
G483-03 ἀντιλέγει antilegei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG opposes speaks against 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G483-05 Luke 2:34 ἀντιλεγόμενον antilegomenon V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG spoken against being spoken against
G483-01 Luke 21:15 ἀντειπεῖν anteipein V AOR ACT INF to refute to speak against
G483-03 John 19:12 ἀντιλέγει antilegei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG opposes speaks against
G483-01 Acts 4:14 ἀντειπεῖν anteipein V AOR ACT INF to say in reply to speak against
G483-02 Acts 13:45 ἀντέλεγον antelegon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL contradicting they were speaking against
G483-08 Acts 28:19 ἀντιλεγόντων antilegonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL the Jews objecting of those speaking against
G483-04 Acts 28:22 ἀντιλέγεται antilegetai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG it is spoken against is being spoken against
G483-06 Romans 10:21 ἀντιλέγοντα antilegonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG gainsaying speaking against
G483-07 Titus 1:9 ἀντιλέγοντας antilegontas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL who contradict speaking against
G483-07 Titus 2:9 ἀντιλέγοντας antilegontas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL argumentative speaking against
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