ἐκτρέφω
ektréphō
G1625 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To nourish or bring up, particularly in the sense of caring for and raising someone or something to maturity; to provide sustenance, care, and instruction, especially in the context of parenting. In the extended sense, to foster growth, development, or proper living skills, whether physically or metaphorically.
Semantic Range
to bring up (children), to nourish to maturity, to care for (dependents), to foster growth, to provide comprehensive upbringing, to rear with attention and support
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb τρέφω ('to feed, to nourish, to bring up'). The compound intensifies the idea of nourishment, suggesting continual care leading to maturity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐκτρέφω is used for raising children or animals, with an emphasis on the full process from birth through maturity. The term frequently appears in the context of familial relationships, especially parental care, but can also indicate any responsible raising or fostering, whether by parents, guardians, or others. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word is used both literally (nourishing, raising children) and figuratively (providing care and training that leads to maturity, such as moral or spiritual upbringing). English translations often render it as 'bring up' or 'nourish,' but these may understate the full breadth of sustained, attentive care connoted in Greek. The idea includes not only physical sustenance but also comprehensive rearing (instruction, protection, and emotional support). When compared to τρέφω, the simple root, ἐκτρέφω has a stronger sense of completion or fulfillment of the nurturing process.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and τρέφω; to rear up to maturity, i.e. (genitive case) to cherish or train:--bring up, nourish.
Root Family
ἐκτρέφω (ektrephō) — to nourish, to rear, to bring up, to care for
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1625-01 |
ἐκτρέφει | ektrephei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
nourishes | nourishes and rears | nourishes | 1 |
G1625-02 |
ἐκτρέφετε | ektrephete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
bring...up | Keep nurturing | nurture | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1625-01 |
Ephesians 5:29 | ἐκτρέφει | ektrephei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
nourishes | nourishes and rears | nourishes |
G1625-02 |
Ephesians 6:4 | ἐκτρέφετε | ektrephete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
bring...up | Keep nurturing | nurture |