ἐκδαπανάω

ekdapanáō

G1550 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To spend utterly or exhaust resources; to consume resources, assets, or energy completely, either literally (of money or property) or figuratively (of strength or effort). The verb emphasizes the thorough or complete use or expenditure of resources.

Semantic Range

to spend wholly, to use up entirely, to exhaust resources, to consume completely (of money, goods, or energy)

Root / Etymology

From ἐκ (out of, from) and δαπανάω (to spend, consume, expend), forming a compound meaning 'to expend out from,' with an intensifying nuance. No evidence of non-Greek influence in its formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐκδαπανάω is a rare compound, appearing in literary and documentary sources with the sense of fully spending or exhausting something. Its use in the New Testament (Luke 15:14—Parable of the Prodigal Son) vividly conveys the idea of total consumption of one's property or resources. In contrast to δαπανάω, which can mean 'to spend' or 'pay out' in a more general sense, ἐκδαπανάω always intensifies the idea, pointing to complete exhaustion or depletion. English translations may narrowly render it as 'spend,' but the Greek carries a stronger nuance — not merely the act of paying, but of having nothing left due to thorough use. The term is not common in the Septuagint, and in later Koine usage, it maintains this intensive sense, especially in figurative contexts (e.g., exhausting one’s strength or means).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and δαπανάω; to expend (wholly), i.e. (figuratively) exhaust:--spend.

Root Family

δαπαν- (dapanáō) — to spend, to use up, to consume, to expend

Root δαπαν- to spend, to expend, to consume
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1159 δαπανάω of the one having spent
G4325 προσδαπανάω you might spend additionally
G77 ἀδάπανος cost-free thing

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1550-01 ἐκδαπανηθήσομαι ekdapanethesomai V FUT PASS IND 1P SG be spent I will be utterly expended I will be utterly expended 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1550-01 2 Corinthians 12:15 ἐκδαπανηθήσομαι ekdapanethesomai V FUT PASS IND 1P SG be spent I will be utterly expended I will be utterly expended