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ἀθετέω

athetéō

G114 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To set aside, invalidate, or reject something as non-binding or no longer valid; also, to disregard, treat as unworthy, refuse to recognize or observe (a person, command, agreement, or principle). In various contexts, it can denote annulling a law, spurning an obligation, or refusing the legitimacy of something put forward for acceptance.

Semantic Range

to annul, set aside, declare invalid, revoke, nullify, disregard, spurn, reject, omit recognition, treat as unworthy, refuse to acknowledge

Root / Etymology

From the negative prefix ἀ- (not) and θετέω, derived from τίθημι (to put, to set). The compound thus originally signifies 'to put aside' or 'to set at nought.' Root related to the stem θετ- (as in τίθημι, 'to place, appoint').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀθετέω means 'to annul' or 'to declare invalid' (used of rejecting treaties, laws, or decisions of assemblies). In the LXX and contemporary Koine, it broadens to mean 'to set aside' divine instruction, covenants, or authority, and often has the sense of deliberate wrongdoing by rejecting established norms or commands. In the New Testament, it most frequently means to reject or disregard (e.g., the commandment or purpose of God, or the gospel), sometimes carrying both the judicial sense of annulling and the personal sense of spurning. Standard English translations often render it 'reject,' 'set aside,' or 'nullify,' but these may miss the active and sometimes public aspect of repudiation inherent to the term.

Translation Consistency

primary "reject" 8 occurrences

"Reject" is a natural, common English verb that covers the typical semantic range of ἀθετέω — to set aside, refuse to accept, or treat as non‑binding. It is concise and idiomatic for both personal refusal and the annulment/disregard of laws, commands, or claims. More formal options like "nullify"/"annul" are narrower or more legalistic, and the phrasal "set aside" is less compact, so "reject" best balances accuracy and naturalness.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"set aside" (5x) "setting aside" (2x) "having set aside" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of τίθημι; to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate:--cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject.

Root Family

ἀθετέω (athetéō) — set aside, invalidate, reject, nullify

Root θετ- to put, to set, to appoint

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G114-07 ἀθετῶν atheton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG rejecting one setting aside one rejecting 4
G114-01 ἀθετεῖ athetei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG rejects sets aside rejects 4
G114-09 ἠθέτησαν ethetesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL rejected they set aside they set aside 2
G114-06 ἀθετῶ atheto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG set-aside I set aside I set aside 1
G114-05 ἀθετήσω atheteso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will bring to nothing I will set aside I will set aside 1
G114-02 ἀθετεῖτε atheteite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you reject you are setting aside you are setting aside 1
G114-03 ἀθετῆσαι athetesai V AOR ACT INF to refuse to set aside to set aside 1
G114-04 ἀθετήσας athetesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having set aside having set aside having set aside 1
G114-08 ἀθετοῦσιν athetousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL despise they are setting aside they are setting aside 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G114-03 Mark 6:26 ἀθετῆσαι athetesai V AOR ACT INF to refuse to set aside to set aside
G114-02 Mark 7:9 ἀθετεῖτε atheteite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you reject you are setting aside you are setting aside
G114-09 Luke 7:30 ἠθέτησαν ethetesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL rejected they set aside they set aside
G114-07 Luke 10:16 ἀθετῶν atheton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG rejecting one setting aside one rejecting
G114-01 Luke 10:16 ἀθετεῖ athetei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG rejects sets aside rejects
G114-07 Luke 10:16 ἀθετῶν atheton-2 V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG rejecting one setting aside one rejecting
G114-01 Luke 10:16 ἀθετεῖ athetei-2 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG rejects sets aside rejects
G114-07 John 12:48 ἀθετῶν atheton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG rejecting one setting aside one rejecting
G114-05 1 Corinthians 1:19 ἀθετήσω atheteso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will bring to nothing I will set aside I will set aside
G114-06 Galatians 2:21 ἀθετῶ atheto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG set-aside I set aside I set aside
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