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ἐρημόω

erēmóō

G2049 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make deserted, to cause to be uninhabited or abandoned, to render desolate. The verb primarily means to reduce a place (city, land, habitation) to a state of emptiness or ruin, either by physical devastation, depopulation, or neglect. In figurative use, it may describe the act of rendering a person or community forlorn, deprived, or isolated. Other extended senses can include to bring to ruin, to destroy, or to bring to nothing (render ineffective).

Semantic Range

to make deserted, to depopulate, to cause destruction or ruin, to render uninhabited, to bring to a state of desolation, to bring to nothing, to devastate, to isolate

Root / Etymology

From the noun ἔρημος (desert, wilderness, uninhabited place) with the verbal suffix -όω, forming a denominative verb meaning 'to make like a desert.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐρημόω is used primarily of rendering territories, cities, or houses uninhabited by external threat (war, disaster) or by depopulation. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew verbs meaning 'to lay waste' or 'to make desolate' (esp. שָׁמֵם, shāmēm), commonly in prophetic or lament contexts about the fate of cities, nations, or the land. In the New Testament, especially in the Synoptic Gospels and Revelation, it can refer both to literal desolation (of Jerusalem, the temple, or a land) and metaphorically to a sense of abandonment or ruin. English translations often use 'make desolate' or 'leave desolate,' but this sometimes fails to convey the full force of depopulation, destruction, and emotional abandonment implied by the Greek. Unlike κοινόω (to defile), ἐρημόω focuses specifically on consequences of devastation or neglect, not impurity. The use in apocalyptic or prophetic passages often carries both physical and symbolic weight.

Translation Consistency

primary "desolate" 5 occurrences

The primary sense of G2049 is to make a place or people deserted/uninhabited or to bring to ruin. 'Desolate' is a natural, transitive English verb that captures both physical devastation and figurative isolation, and it fits the typical usage better than more formal or narrow alternatives like 'devastate' or 'depopulate.' Using 'desolate' ensures consistent, idiomatic rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἔρημος; to lay waste (literally or figuratively):--(bring to, make) desolate(-ion), come to nought.

Root Family

ἐρημόω (erēmoō) — to empty, to abandon, to make deserted

Root ἐρημ- to empty, to abandon, to make deserted

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2049-02 ἠρημώθη eremothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG has been laid waste was rendered desolate was rendered desolate 2
G2049-03 ἐρημοῦται eremoutai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG is laid waste is being made deserted is being desolated 2
G2049-01 ἠρημωμένην eremomenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG desolate having been made deserted desolate 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2049-03 Matthew 12:25 ἐρημοῦται eremoutai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG is laid waste is being made deserted is being desolated
G2049-03 Luke 11:17 ἐρημοῦται eremoutai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG is made desolate is being made deserted is being desolated
G2049-01 Revelation 17:16 ἠρημωμένην eremomenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG desolate having been made deserted desolate
G2049-02 Revelation 18:17 ἠρημώθη eremothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG has been laid waste was rendered desolate was rendered desolate
G2049-02 Revelation 18:19 ἠρημώθη eremothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG is she made desolate was rendered desolate was rendered desolate
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