βάπτω
báptō
G911 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To dip or immerse (something) into a liquid, usually for the purpose of wetting, moistening, or coloring; to submerge briefly, not necessarily with a ritual connotation. In some contexts, to dye or stain by the process of dipping. The primary sense involves the physical action of plunging or immersing partly or wholly in a fluid, often momentarily, especially for the purpose of coloring (e.g., cloth in dye) or of moistening (e.g., food).
Semantic Range
to dip (something) into liquid, to immerse briefly, to moisten (as in dipping a finger), to stain or dye (especially by immersion), to color by dipping
Root / Etymology
From the root βαπτ-, possibly related to another base meaning 'to dip, to immerse.' Often considered the base for related forms such as βαπτίζω (baptizō; to immerse, to baptize), but these are distinct in usage and meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
βάπτω appears primarily in classical and Hellenistic Greek with reference to immersing objects, especially for coloring or dyeing cloth; it rarely has ritual or ceremonial connotations. In the Septuagint (LXX) and the New Testament, the verb occurs only a few times (e.g., Luke 16:24, John 13:26, Revelation 19:13), always describing the physical act of dipping, usually food or garments, rather than ritual immersion. This distinguishes it from βαπτίζω, which later takes on more specific ritual or religious senses, especially in Christian contexts. English Bible translations frequently render βάπτω as 'dip,' but in some traditions, especially in liturgical or doctrinal texts, the distinction between βάπτω and βαπτίζω has been blurred. βάπτω lacks the standardized religious or ceremonial implications of βαπτίζω and is more general in reference throughout Greek literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary verb; to whelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or special sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye):--dip.
Root Family
βάπτω (baptō) — to dip, to immerse, to dye, to moisten
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G911-01 |
βάψας | bapsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having dipped | having dipped | having dipped | 2 |
G911-02 |
βάψῃ | bapse | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
he may dip | he might dip | he might dip | 1 |
G911-03 |
βεβαμμένον | bebammenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
dipped | having been dipped | having been dipped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G911-02 |
Luke 16:24 | βάψῃ | bapse | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
he may dip | he might dip | he might dip |
G911-01 |
John 13:26 | βάψας | bapsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having dipped | having dipped | having dipped |
G911-01 |
John 13:26 | βάψας | bapsas-2 | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having dipped | having dipped | having dipped |
G911-03 |
Revelation 19:13 | βεβαμμένον | bebammenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG |
dipped | having been dipped | having been dipped |