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ἐμπαίζω

empaízō

G1702 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To treat someone or something with ridicule or scorn, to make fun of, mock, or deride, often in a contemptuous or insulting way. The term implies not simply making jokes or playful teasing, but a malicious or disparaging ridicule, sometimes including physical gestures, humiliation, or open insult. Contextually, it can refer not only to verbal ridicule but also to actions intended to publicly disgrace or shame.

Semantic Range

to mock, to ridicule, to scorn, to deride, to treat with contempt, to publicly shame, to make sport of

Root / Etymology

From ἐν (en, 'in') and παίζω (paizō, 'to play'), literally 'to play at or with.' The compound form intensifies the idea of play, turning it toward derision or mockery rather than harmless amusement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παίζω means 'to play,' referring to children or playful banter, but ἐμπαίζω acquires a distinctly negative connotation, indicating mockery or scorn rather than innocent play. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, ἐμπαίζω is used for public ridicule, often connected with suffering, trial, or dishonor (e.g., mocking prophets, or the mockery of Jesus by Roman soldiers and crowds). It suggests humiliation intended by a group toward an individual, crossing from jest into malicious social scorn. English translations such as 'mock' or 'ridicule' capture most of the sense, but may not always express the intensity of the intentional, public shaming or scorn involved. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, ἐμπαίζω can also be used of mocking rituals or ritualized insult (see NT passion narratives).

Translation Consistency

primary "mock" 12 occurrences

'Mock' is the most natural, commonly used English verb that covers the full SILEX range (to ridicule, deride, scorn, publicly shame). It matches the majority of existing renderings and easily accommodates all inflections and contextual nuances (verbal or physical ridicule) while remaining simple and consistent.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"publicly ridiculed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and παίζω; to jeer at, i.e. deride:--mock.

Root Family

παίζ- (empaízō) — to play, to tease, to deride

Root παίζ- to play, to tease, to deride

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1702-08 ἐνέπαιξαν enepaixan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they had mocked they mocked they mocked 4
G1702-06 ἐμπαίζοντες empaizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL mocking those deriding mocking 2
G1702-01 ἐμπαιχθήσεται empaichthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be mocked will be publicly ridiculed will be publicly ridiculed 1
G1702-02 ἐμπαῖξαι empaixai V AOR ACT INF mock to mock with scorn mock with scorn 1
G1702-03 ἐμπαίξας empaixas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having mocked having mocked having mocked 1
G1702-04 ἐμπαίξουσιν empaixousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will mock him they will deride they will mock 1
G1702-05 ἐμπαίζειν empaizein V PRS ACT INF to mock to mock in scorn to mock in scorn 1
G1702-07 ἐνεπαίχθη enepaichthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG he had been tricked he was mocked he was mocked 1
G1702-09 ἐνέπαιζον enepaizon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were mocking they were mocking were mocking 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1702-07 Matthew 2:16 ἐνεπαίχθη enepaichthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG he had been tricked he was mocked he was mocked
G1702-02 Matthew 20:19 ἐμπαῖξαι empaixai V AOR ACT INF mock to mock with scorn mock with scorn
G1702-08 Matthew 27:29 ἐνέπαιξαν enepaixan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they mocked they mocked they mocked
G1702-08 Matthew 27:31 ἐνέπαιξαν enepaixan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they had mocked they mocked they mocked
G1702-06 Matthew 27:41 ἐμπαίζοντες empaizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL mocking those deriding mocking
G1702-04 Mark 10:34 ἐμπαίξουσιν empaixousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will mock him they will deride they will mock
G1702-08 Mark 15:20 ἐνέπαιξαν enepaixan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they had mocked they mocked they mocked
G1702-06 Mark 15:31 ἐμπαίζοντες empaizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL mocking those deriding mocking
G1702-05 Luke 14:29 ἐμπαίζειν empaizein V PRS ACT INF to mock to mock in scorn to mock in scorn
G1702-01 Luke 18:32 ἐμπαιχθήσεται empaichthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be mocked will be publicly ridiculed will be publicly ridiculed
G1702-09 Luke 22:63 ἐνέπαιζον enepaizon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were mocking they were mocking were mocking
G1702-03 Luke 23:11 ἐμπαίξας empaixas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having mocked having mocked having mocked
G1702-08 Luke 23:36 ἐνέπαιξαν enepaixan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL mocked they mocked they mocked
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