ἀπειλή (G547) — Greek Lexicon

ἀπειλή

apeilḗ

G547 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A declaration of intent to inflict punishment, harm, or constraint; threat, menace. In various contexts, refers to verbal or implicit warnings of impending action, particularly with an element of authority or coercion. Can be used in both negative and, contextually, neutral senses depending on the speaker and relationship between parties.

Semantic Range

threat, menace, warning of punishment or harm, declaration of intent to punish or coerce, intimidating warning

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀπειλέω (to threaten, to warn), which itself is related to the root ἀπειλ- signifying a declaration of threat or menace. No clear derivation from non-Greek sources; formation is purely Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus, Xenophon) with the sense of a warning or threat often issued by those in power or authority. In the Septuagint, used to render terms for threats—divine or human (cf. LXX Job 41:25). In the New Testament, chiefly signifies threats of punishment against early followers of Jesus (e.g., Acts 4:29, 9:1). The term typically bears the nuance of a hostile or intimidatory warning, especially one intended to change behavior. English translations frequently use 'threat' or 'threatening,' though these may not fully capture nuances such as institutional or judicial warning present in some sources. Contrasts with παραγγελία (command, warning) and ἐντολή (commandment), which more often denote instruction or direction than menace. The usage does not automatically imply the fulfillment of the threat; it focuses on the speech act itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπειλέω; a menace:--X straitly, threatening.

Root Family

ἀπειλή (apeilē) — threat, menace, warning of punishment, declaration of harm

Root ἀπειλ- to threaten, to menace, to warn with threat

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G547-03`	ἀπειλῆς	apeiles	`N GEN F SG`	threats	of threat	of threat	1
`G547-02`	ἀπειλήν	apeilen	`N ACC F SG`	threatening	a threat	a threat	1
`G547-01`	ἀπειλὰς	apeilas	`N ACC F PL`	threats	threats	threats	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G547-01`	Acts 4:29	ἀπειλὰς	apeilas	`N ACC F PL`	threats	threats	threats
`G547-03`	Acts 9:1	ἀπειλῆς	apeiles	`N GEN F SG`	threats	of threat	of threat
`G547-02`	Ephesians 6:9	ἀπειλήν	apeilen	`N ACC F SG`	threatening	a threat	a threat

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