ἀτιμάζω (G818) — Greek Lexicon

ἀτιμάζω

atimázō

G818 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To treat with disrespect, to dishonor, to insult; in a broader sense, to subject someone or something to indignity or cause public shame. The verb encompasses both the act of withholding due honor and actively bringing shame or reproach upon another, whether through words, actions, or social exclusion. Depending on context, it may also mean to mistreat or abuse, especially in ways that demonstrate disregard for status, dignity, or personhood.

Semantic Range

to dishonor, to treat with disrespect, to shame, to insult, to abuse, to mistreat, to bring into contempt, to cause to suffer shame

Root / Etymology

From the adjective ἄτιμος (without honor, dishonored) + verbal suffix -άζω. The root word τιμή (honor, value) carries the concept of honoring or valuing; the alpha privative negates this, giving 'to deprive of honor'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀτιμάζω signified depriving someone or something of honor, treating with contempt, or bringing into public disrepute. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts — including the Septuagint and New Testament — it is used to denote both social and physical forms of dishonor or shame, ranging from verbal abuse to mistreatment (e.g., Acts 5:41; Luke 20:11). The verb is often paired antithetically with τιμάω (to honor), highlighting the moral and social expectation of esteem. The standard English rendering as 'dishonor' is generally accurate but may not fully capture the nuances of public shame, social exclusion, or maltreatment implied in certain contexts. In the LXX, it frequently translates Hebrew roots related to shame or humiliation. In the New Testament, usage can denote both attitudes (despise, disregard) and concrete actions (abuse, shameful treatment), especially toward honor-bound individuals or groups. Unlike ὑβρίζω (to outrage/insult), ἀτιμάζω more directly reflects the loss or denial of social value owed to a person or group, emphasizing the communal aspect of honor and shame in Mediterranean societies.

Translation Consistency

primary "dishonor" 7 occurrences

ἀτιμάζω literally means to treat someone as without honor — to deprive of or violate honor, whether by insult, shame, or mistreatment. "Dishonor" is the natural, consistent English verb that captures both withholding honor and actively shaming or insulting, matching the typical semantic range.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἄτιμος; to render infamous, i.e. (by implication) contemn or maltreat:--despise, dishonour, suffer shame, entreat shamefully.

Root Family

ἀτιμάζω (atimazō) — to deprive of honor, to dishonor, to insult, to shame

Root τιμ- (from ἄτιμος + -άζω) to deprive of honor, to dishonor, to insult, to shame

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G818-05`	ἀτιμάζετέ	atimazete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	dishonor	you are dishonoring	dishonor	1
`G818-04`	ἀτιμάζεσθαι	atimazesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	dishonoring	to be dishonored	to be dishonored	1
`G818-03`	ἀτιμάζεις	atimazeis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	dishonor	you dishonor	you dishonor	1
`G818-01`	ἀτιμάσαντες	atimasantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having dishonored	having dishonored	having dishonored	1
`G818-06`	ἠτίμασαν	etimasan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	treated shamefully	they dishonored	they dishonored	1
`G818-02`	ἀτιμασθῆναι	atimasthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be dishonored	to be dishonored	to be dishonored	1
`G818-07`	ἠτιμάσατε	etimasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	have dishonored	you dishonored	you dishonored	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G818-06`	Mark 12:4	ἠτίμασαν	etimasan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	treated shamefully	they dishonored	they dishonored
`G818-01`	Luke 20:11	ἀτιμάσαντες	atimasantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having dishonored	having dishonored	having dishonored
`G818-05`	John 8:49	ἀτιμάζετέ	atimazete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	dishonor	you are dishonoring	dishonor
`G818-02`	Acts 5:41	ἀτιμασθῆναι	atimasthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be dishonored	to be dishonored	to be dishonored
`G818-04`	Romans 1:24	ἀτιμάζεσθαι	atimazesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	dishonoring	to be dishonored	to be dishonored
`G818-03`	Romans 2:23	ἀτιμάζεις	atimazeis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	dishonor	you dishonor	you dishonor
`G818-07`	James 2:6	ἠτιμάσατε	etimasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	have dishonored	you dishonored	you dishonored

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