ἀντιτάσσομαι
antitássomai
G498 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To set oneself in opposition, to resist or stand against; to arrange oneself in opposition either actively or in disposition, whether to a person, authority, or idea. Can denote direct resistance (such as in a military or legal sense) or a broader posture of opposition.
Semantic Range
to arrange oneself in opposition, to resist, to stand against, to oppose (militarily, legally, spiritually), to take a firm stance against
Root / Etymology
From ἀντί (against, opposite) and the middle voice of τάσσω (to arrange, set in order), thus 'to arrange oneself against.' The construction is inherently reflexive due to the middle/passive morphology.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἀντιτάσσομαι appears rarely and in later sources, bearing the sense of setting oneself in opposition (military or otherwise). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the New Testament and Septuagint), it often connotes a strong, sometimes deliberate, opposition—frequently in relation to divine or human authority, law, or will (e.g., James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5: 'God opposes the proud'). The reflexive/middle voice stresses the subject's personal involvement in the act of resistance. In the Septuagint, the term is used to render Hebrew roots for opposition to God or rulers. Standard English translations as 'oppose', 'resist,' or 'withstand,' but can fail to convey the sense of aligning oneself consciously and orderly against someone or something. The rhetorical strength of the word can range from inner disposition to open, structured confrontation.
Translation Consistency
‘Oppose’ is the most natural, broad English verb that covers the full semantic range of ἀντιτάσσομαι — arranging oneself against, standing against, or resisting in military, legal, or spiritual contexts. It captures both active resistance and a posture of opposition more naturally than narrower alternatives like ‘resist.’
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀντί and the middle voice of τάσσω; to range oneself against, i.e. oppose:--oppose themselves, resist.
Root Family
ἀντιτάσσομαι (antitassomai) — arrange oneself against, resist, stand in opposition, oppose
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G498-01 |
ἀντιτάσσεται | antitassetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
resists | sets himself against | sets himself against | 3 |
G498-02 |
ἀντιτασσομένων | antitassomenon | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL |
opposing | of those setting themselves against | of those setting themselves against | 1 |
G498-03 |
ἀντιτασσόμενος | antitassomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
resists | one setting himself against | setting himself against | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G498-02 |
Acts 18:6 | ἀντιτασσομένων | antitassomenon | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL |
opposing | of those setting themselves against | of those setting themselves against |
G498-03 |
Romans 13:2 | ἀντιτασσόμενος | antitassomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
resists | one setting himself against | setting himself against |
G498-01 |
James 4:6 | ἀντιτάσσεται | antitassetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
resists | sets himself against | sets himself against |
G498-01 |
James 5:6 | ἀντιτάσσεται | antitassetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
does resist | sets himself against | sets himself against |
G498-01 |
1 Peter 5:5 | ἀντιτάσσεται | antitassetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
resists | sets himself against | sets himself against |