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εἴκω

eíkō

G1502 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To yield, give way, or cede; in context, to submit to, defer, or allow oneself to be moved by external force or influence. The primary sense is physical or figurative yielding in the face of resistance or pressure, with extended meaning to surrender one's position, rights, or opinion.

Semantic Range

to yield (physically or figuratively), to give place, to give way, to cede a position or argument, to submit, to defer

Root / Etymology

Root: εἴκ-. The word is a primary verb in Greek, connected to the noun εἰκών (image) only through a coincidental similarity in form; there is no etymological relationship. εἴκω is an inherited Greek verb with Indo-European origins, related to the notion of bending, yielding, or giving way (cf. Latin 'vincere' in its archaic meaning to yield, and Sanskrit 'vij' – to bend).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εἴκω is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts: literally of objects or people yielding to pressure (e.g., a door yielding to force; a person giving way), and figuratively, of giving up an argument, position, or authority. In the Septuagint and New Testament periods, the verb is rare but retains its original sense of yielding or making room (e.g., Galatians 2:5). Later Greek may continue this sense, but the verb becomes less frequent. English translations typically render εἴκω as 'give place,' 'yield,' or 'give way,' sometimes missing the nuanced contextual implication of submission (voluntary or forced) to circumstance or another party. Distinct from related verbs like παραχωρέω (to make room, withdraw) or ὑποχωρέω (to retreat, withdraw under pressure), εἴκω emphasizes the act or result of yielding rather than the process or the voluntary nature. The verb does not inherently imply moral weakness or virtue but simply the act of not resisting further.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb; properly, to be weak, i.e. yield:--give place.

Root Family

εἴκω (eíkō) — to yield, to give way, to be moved, to cede

Root εἴκ- to yield, to give way, to be moved
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1503 εἴκω has given way

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1502-01 εἴξαμεν eixamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we yielded we yielded we yielded 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1502-01 Galatians 2:5 εἴξαμεν eixamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we yielded we yielded we yielded
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