τάσσω (G5021) — Greek Lexicon

τάσσω

tássō

G5021 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To arrange, put in order, or assign a place or role; to set something or someone in a particular position, office, or state. The verb can express literal or figurative arrangement—whether of objects, people, ranks, or duties. By extension, it can mean to appoint to a task, to determine, or to ordain for a function or fate.

Semantic Range

to arrange, to place, to put in a position, to appoint to office or duty, to designate, to set in order, to determine, to assign

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root τάσσω (τάσσω), meaning 'to arrange, order, put in place.' The root is related to the verb τάττω, a contracted form common in Attic Greek; τάσσω is the prolonged form that became standard in Koine. Cognate with ταγός ('leader, commander'). No evidence of Semitic origin; the root is entirely Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

τάσσω appears from classical Greek onward, primarily with the meaning 'to arrange, set in order,' both in military and civic contexts (e.g., arranging troops, putting laws in place). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament writings, the term is frequently extended to social, legal, or cosmic order—assigning positions of authority or establishing events according to plan or decree. In the NT, τάσσω can refer to appointing roles (Acts 13:48, 'as many as had been designated to eternal life') or instituting authorities (Romans 13:1, 'those who have been ordered/instituted by God'). Many English Bibles translate τάσσω with 'appoint,' 'ordain,' or 'set,' but these do not always capture the nuance of arrangement or assignment implied by the verb. Related words include διατάσσω ('to order throughout, arrange specifically'), ἐπιτάσσω ('to command'), and ὑποτάσσω ('to subject, to subordinate'). The semantic range of τάσσω underscores the concept of arranged order rather than arbitrary designation.

Translation Consistency

primary "assign" 6 occurrences

Assign best covers the SILEX range — arranging or placing something, designating a person to a role or duty, and determining or setting something in order. It’s natural English and neutral between ‘‘appoint’’ (office-focused) and ‘‘order’’ (command-focused), so it works for both literal and figurative uses of τάσσω.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):

"appointed for" (1x) "set in place" (1x) "having appointed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary verb (which latter appears only in certain tenses); to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):--addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set.

Root Family

τάσσω (tassō) — to arrange, to set in order, to assign

Root τάσσω to arrange, to set in order, to assign

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5021-03`	τασσόμενος	tassomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	placed	being assigned	being assigned	2
`G5021-01`	ἔταξαν	etaxan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they determined	they assigned	they assigned	2
`G5021-05`	τεταγμέναι	tetagmenai	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F PL`	ordained	having been assigned	having been assigned	1
`G5021-02`	ἐτάξατο	etaxato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	had directed	he appointed for himself	he appointed for them	1
`G5021-06`	τεταγμένοι	tetagmenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	appointed	having been assigned	having been assigned	1
`G5021-07`	τέτακταί	tetaktai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	are appointed	has been set in place	has been set in place	1
`G5021-04`	ταξάμενοι	taxamenoi	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL`	having appointed	having arranged themselves	having appointed	1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5021-03`	Matthew 8:9	τασσόμενος	tassomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	placed	being assigned	being assigned
`G5021-02`	Matthew 28:16	ἐτάξατο	etaxato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	had directed	he appointed for himself	he appointed for them
`G5021-03`	Luke 7:8	τασσόμενος	tassomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	set	being assigned	being assigned
`G5021-06`	Acts 13:48	τεταγμένοι	tetagmenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	appointed	having been assigned	having been assigned
`G5021-01`	Acts 15:2	ἔταξαν	etaxan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they determined	they assigned	they assigned
`G5021-07`	Acts 22:10	τέτακταί	tetaktai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	are appointed	has been set in place	has been set in place
`G5021-04`	Acts 28:23	ταξάμενοι	taxamenoi	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL`	having appointed	having arranged themselves	having appointed
`G5021-05`	Romans 13:1	τεταγμέναι	tetagmenai	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F PL`	ordained	having been assigned	having been assigned
`G5021-01`	1 Corinthians 16:15	ἔταξαν	etaxan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they have devoted	they assigned	they assigned

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