ἐξουθενέω
exouthenéō
G1848 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to treat as of no account, to regard as nothing, to consider worthless; to show contempt, to despise. The term conveys the act of treating a person, group, or thing as insignificant, disregarded, or without value. In contexts, it can imply not merely a lack of esteem but active rejection or dismissiveness.
Semantic Range
to consider worthless, to despise, to show contempt, to treat as insignificant, to disregard, to set at naught, to treat with scorn
Root / Etymology
From the root ἐξ - (out of, from) and οὐθενός (nothing, no one), with the verb-forming ending -έω. It arose as a variation of ἐξουδενόω, itself a compound from οὐδείς (no one) and ἐξ. The form ἐξουθενέω is a later Koine development. Ultimately from the Greek word for 'nothing' (οὐδέν).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek literature, including the Septuagint and New Testament. It often appears in contexts where a person, group, or matter is treated with contempt, neglect, or considered insignificant. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew verbs meaning 'to despise,' 'to scorn,' or 'to treat as insignificant.' In the New Testament, the term persists with similar connotations, especially in moral and social teachings (e.g., Luke 18:9, Romans 14:3,10), where it can carry strong ethical implications regarding judgment or exclusion. English Bible translations often render it 'despise,' 'treat with contempt,' or 'set at nought,' but these can underrepresent the range from passive disregard to active contempt. The variation in spelling (ἐξουθενέω/ἐξουδενόω) is typical of Koine orthography.
Translation Consistency
Exouthenéō consistently conveys contempt or treating someone/something as worthless or of no account. "Despise" is the most natural, direct English verb that captures that core sense (showing contempt, rejecting as of no value) and fits the typical Biblical usage better than more general verbs like "treat" or "regard." It will render all forms consistently and transparently.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a variation of ἐξουδενόω and meaning the same:--contemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at nought.
Root Family
ἐξουθενέω (exoutheneō) — to regard as nothing, to despise, to treat as worthless
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1848-05 |
ἐξουθενημένος | exouthenemenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
contemptible | having been regarded as nothing | despised | 1 |
G1848-04 |
ἐξουθενημένα | exouthenemena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
despised | having been treated as worthless things | having been treated as worthless things | 1 |
G1848-06 |
ἐξουθενημένους | exouthenemenous | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
despised | having been treated as worthless | having been treated as worthless | 1 |
G1848-11 |
ἐξουθενοῦντας | exouthenountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
despising | those treating as nothing | despising | 1 |
G1848-09 |
ἐξουθενήσῃ | exouthenese | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
despise | may treat as nothing | may treat as nothing | 1 |
G1848-08 |
ἐξουθενήσατε | exouthenesate | V AOR ACT IND 2P PL |
despised | you were treating as nothing | you despised | 1 |
G1848-01 |
ἐξουθενεῖς | exoutheneis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
do you despise | you treat as nothing | do you despise | 1 |
G1848-02 |
ἐξουθενεῖτε | exoutheneite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
despise | treat as nothing | treat as nothing | 1 |
G1848-03 |
ἐξουθενείτω | exoutheneito | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let despise | let him treat as nothing | let him treat as nothing | 1 |
G1848-07 |
ἐξουθενήσας | exouthenesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having treated with contempt | having treated as nothing | having treated with contempt | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1848-11 |
Luke 18:9 | ἐξουθενοῦντας | exouthenountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
despising | those treating as nothing | despising |
G1848-07 |
Luke 23:11 | ἐξουθενήσας | exouthenesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having treated with contempt | having treated as nothing | having treated with contempt |
G1848-10 |
Acts 4:11 | ἐξουθενηθεὶς | exouthenetheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
rejected | having been treated as nothing | having been treated as nothing |
G1848-03 |
Romans 14:3 | ἐξουθενείτω | exoutheneito | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let despise | let him treat as nothing | let him treat as nothing |
G1848-01 |
Romans 14:10 | ἐξουθενεῖς | exoutheneis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
do you despise | you treat as nothing | do you despise |
G1848-04 |
1 Corinthians 1:28 | ἐξουθενημένα | exouthenemena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
despised | having been treated as worthless things | having been treated as worthless things |
G1848-06 |
1 Corinthians 6:4 | ἐξουθενημένους | exouthenemenous | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
despised | having been treated as worthless | having been treated as worthless |
G1848-09 |
1 Corinthians 16:11 | ἐξουθενήσῃ | exouthenese | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
despise | may treat as nothing | may treat as nothing |
G1848-05 |
2 Corinthians 10:10 | ἐξουθενημένος | exouthenemenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
contemptible | having been regarded as nothing | despised |
G1848-08 |
Galatians 4:14 | ἐξουθενήσατε | exouthenesate | V AOR ACT IND 2P PL |
despised | you were treating as nothing | you despised |