ἀντιλοιδορέω (G486) — Greek Lexicon

ἀντιλοιδορέω

antiloidoréō

G486 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to respond to insult or abuse, specifically to return abusive language or verbal reproach when one has been insulted; the act of answering back with verbal abuse. The primary sense is to give a verbal reply to an attack or insult in a similar spirit, often implying retaliation in speech.

Semantic Range

to answer with abuse, to return insult for insult, to reply with reviling, to rail in response

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἀντί ('in return, against') and λοιδορέω ('to revile, abuse verbally'). Formed from the prepositional prefix ἀντι- expressing reciprocity or return, and the verb λοιδορέω. No uncertain element in composition.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἀντιλοιδορέω is a late and rare compound first attested in Hellenistic Greek, particularly in Jewish and Christian texts. In the New Testament (notably 1 Peter 2:23), it is used to describe responding to verbal abuse or insults in kind. The word carries a strong connotation of reciprocity: not just 'to speak harshly' but specifically 'to return' or 'answer' verbal abuse. In classical Greek, the simple λοιδορέω is more common, while the compound ἀντιλοιδορέω highlights the responsive, retaliatory aspect. English translations often render this as 'revile in return' or 'retaliate with insults,' but the focus on a direct, matching reply can be lost in the simple term 'revile.' This nuance is important for understanding passages where forbearance or the refusal to answer in kind is praised. The term is not found in the Septuagint and appears to be characteristic of post-Classical Greek, with social and moral implications concerning reciprocal behavior in verbal altercations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀντί and λοιδορέω; to rail in reply:--revile again.

Root Family

ἀντιλοιδορέω (antiloidoreō) — to abuse verbally in return, to answer with insult, to retaliate with reproach

Root λοιδορ- to abuse verbally, to insult, to reproach

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G486-01`	ἀντελοιδόρει	anteloidorei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	reviled in return	was reviling in return	was reviling in return	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G486-01`	1 Peter 2:23	ἀντελοιδόρει	anteloidorei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	reviled in return	was reviling in return	was reviling in return

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