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ἐκδικέω

ekdikéō

G1556 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To carry out justice, exact retribution, or take vengeance; to act as an agent of justice, often in the context of righting a wrong or responding to an offense. In various contexts, the verb can mean to avenge (on behalf of oneself or another), to punish wrongdoing, or to demand satisfaction for an injustice. While the core sense involves retributive or compensatory action, in legal and social contexts it can indicate the formal execution of justice, whether by an individual, a deity, or an authority.

Semantic Range

to avenge, to take vengeance, to punish, to exact retribution, to administer justice, to vindicate, to demand satisfaction for a wrong

Root / Etymology

From ἔκδικος (just, avenging, bringing justice), itself from ἐκ ('from, out of') and δίκη ('justice, right, penalty'). ἐκδικέω thus literally means 'to bring out justice,' i.e., to administer justice or avenge.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek (e.g., Xenophon, Plato) with the sense of exacting justice or vengeance, especially in legal or retributive settings. In the Septuagint, ἐκδικέω frequently translates Hebrew verb forms related to vengeance or recompense (notably נָקַם, naqam), often referring to divine or authorized human action to punish wrongdoing. In New Testament usage, the term appears in both active (to exact punishment or vengeance) and middle forms (to seek justice for oneself), typically in reference to avenging wrongs or executing proper justice. English translations often render it as 'avenge,' 'punish,' or 'vindicate,' but such translations sometimes obscure the legal/judicial dimension present in the Greek term. The concept covers both personal and judicial redress, but in biblical contexts, unauthorized personal vengeance is generally contrasted with legitimate, divinely sanctioned justice. Distinct from θύω (to sacrifice) or τιμωρέω (to help, later 'to take vengeance'), ἐκδικέω emphasizes the bringing forth of justice, explicitly tying vengeance or punishment to the restoration or maintenance of right order, often under the authority of law or divine will.

Translation Consistency

primary "avenge" 4 occurrences

ἐκδικέω in Biblical usage most commonly carries the sense of taking vengeance or vindicating a wrong (whether personally or by a deity/authority). “Avenge” is natural, idiomatic English that covers the retributive and vindicative range of the lemma better than narrower options like “punish” or the less natural “exact,” and so will render consistently across all forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"exact justice" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἔκδικος; to vindicate, retaliate, punish:--a (re-)venge.

Root Family

δικ- (díkaios) — just, upright, in accordance with justice

Root δικ- to bring justice, to avenge, to exact retribution
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1342 δίκαιος upright
G1345 δικαίωμα righteous decree
G1346 δικαίως justly
G1348 δικαστής a judge
G2613 καταδικάζω you will be convicted

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1556-01 ἐκδικεῖς ekdikeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG avenge you are exacting justice you exact justice 1
G1556-02 ἐκδικῆσαι ekdikesai V AOR ACT INF to punish to exact justice to exact justice 1
G1556-03 ἐκδικήσω ekdikeso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will avenge I will exact justice I will avenge 1
G1556-04 ἐκδίκησόν ekdikeson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Avenge Exact justice Avenge 1
G1556-05 ἐκδικοῦντες ekdikountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL avenging bringing justice avenging 1
G1556-06 ἐξεδίκησεν exedikesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he has avenged he exacted justice he avenged 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1556-04 Luke 18:3 ἐκδίκησόν ekdikeson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Avenge Exact justice Avenge
G1556-03 Luke 18:5 ἐκδικήσω ekdikeso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will avenge I will exact justice I will avenge
G1556-05 Romans 12:19 ἐκδικοῦντες ekdikountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL avenging bringing justice avenging
G1556-02 2 Corinthians 10:6 ἐκδικῆσαι ekdikesai V AOR ACT INF to punish to exact justice to exact justice
G1556-01 Revelation 6:10 ἐκδικεῖς ekdikeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG avenge you are exacting justice you exact justice
G1556-06 Revelation 19:2 ἐξεδίκησεν exedikesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he has avenged he exacted justice he avenged
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