σφάζω
spházō
G4969 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To slaughter by cutting the throat, especially of animals for food or sacrifice; by extension, to kill violently. The primary lexical sense involves ritual slaughter of sacrificial animals, but is extended metaphorically to violent or deliberate killing of people or beings.
Semantic Range
to slaughter (animals for food or sacrifice), to kill by slitting the throat, to slay violently, to butcher, to massacre, to sacrifice (by slaying), to put to death in a ritual or violent way
Root / Etymology
From the root σφαδ-, relating to striking or slaughtering; possibly connected to σφάζομαι, middle/passive forms are rarely attested. The formation appears to be an inherited primary verb in Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, σφάζω regularly refers to the ritual slaughter of animals, specifically by cutting the throat, as part of sacrificial rites or for food preparation. In the Septuagint (LXX), it closely translates Hebrew זָבַח (zāvach, to slaughter for sacrifice) and sometimes שָׁחַט (shachat, to kill, slaughter), maintaining the context of sacrificial or cultic killing. In the New Testament, especially in Revelation, σφάζω is used for the slaughter of the Lamb and for acts of violent killing, both literal and figurative. The verb is distinguished from more general terms for killing, such as ἀποκτείνω (to put to death) and φονεύω (to murder), by its emphasis on ritual, bloody, or violent methods, often with cultic associations. English translations often use 'slay' or 'slaughter,' but these may obscure the ritual or sacrificial associations often present in the Greek. The term does not inherently imply murder or legal judgment but focuses on the method and context of violent death, particularly by cutting or stabbing.
Translation Consistency
“Slaughter” best captures the primary lexical sense: killing by cutting/throat in a ritual or butchering context, and it naturally extends to violent killing. It is more specific than the generic “kill,” more natural and neutral for sacrificial/animal contexts than “butcher,” and matches the majority of attested renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary verb; to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice) or (generally) to slaughter, or (specially), to maim (violently):--kill, slay, wound.
Root Family
σφαζ- (spházō) — to slaughter, to butcher, to kill violently
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4969-03 |
ἐσφαγμένον | esphagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered | 4 |
G4969-05 |
ἔσφαξεν | esphaxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
slew | he slaughtered | he slaughtered | 2 |
G4969-01 |
ἐσφάγης | esphages | V AOR PASS IND 2P SG |
you were slain | you were slaughtered | you were slaughtered | 1 |
G4969-02 |
ἐσφαγμένην | esphagmenen | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered | 1 |
G4969-04 |
ἐσφαγμένου | esphagmenou | V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N SG |
slain | of the one having been slaughtered | slain | 1 |
G4969-06 |
σφάξουσιν | sphaxousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they should kill | they will slaughter | they will slaughter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4969-05 |
1 John 3:12 | ἔσφαξεν | esphaxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
slew | he slaughtered | he slaughtered |
G4969-05 |
1 John 3:12 | ἔσφαξεν | esphaxen-2 | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
slew | he slaughtered | he slaughtered |
G4969-03 |
Revelation 5:6 | ἐσφαγμένον | esphagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered |
G4969-01 |
Revelation 5:9 | ἐσφάγης | esphages | V AOR PASS IND 2P SG |
you were slain | you were slaughtered | you were slaughtered |
G4969-03 |
Revelation 5:12 | ἐσφαγμένον | esphagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
that was slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered |
G4969-06 |
Revelation 6:4 | σφάξουσιν | sphaxousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they should kill | they will slaughter | they will slaughter |
G4969-03 |
Revelation 6:9 | ἐσφαγμένων | esphagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL |
slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered |
G4969-02 |
Revelation 13:3 | ἐσφαγμένην | esphagmenen | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered |
G4969-04 |
Revelation 13:8 | ἐσφαγμένου | esphagmenou | V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N SG |
slain | of the one having been slaughtered | slain |
G4969-03 |
Revelation 18:24 | ἐσφαγμένων | esphagmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL |
who have been slain | having been slaughtered | having been slaughtered |