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θανατήφορος

thanatḗphoros

G2287 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Carrying death, bringing about death; possessing the nature or quality of producing death. Primarily denotes something causing death (whether a person, object, or event), and by extension, refers to something deadly, fatal, or lethal in effect or potential.

Semantic Range

deadly, fatal, causing death, bringing about death, life-threatening, resulting in death

Root / Etymology

From θάνατος (death) and φέρω (to bear, to carry); a compound meaning 'bearing or bringing death.' Formed on the analogy of other compounds indicating what is brought or borne (e.g. σωτηριοφόρος, 'bringing salvation').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in Hellenistic and medical Greek literature to describe what causes or accompanies death (e.g., deadly poisons, fatal maladies, deadly weapons). Rare in the New Testament; its single attestation (2 Corinthians 11:23) appears in the phrase 'in deaths oft,' referring to situations wherein death was probable or imminent. In Septuagint usage, appears in contexts describing deadly circumstances or agents. Classical Greek prefers synonyms such as θανατηφόνος. English translations often render this as 'deadly' or 'fatal,' but the original sense is more strongly tied to the idea of 'carrying' or 'bringing' death.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (the feminine form of) θάνατος and φέρω; death-bearing, i.e. fatal:--deadly.

Root Family

θανατήφορος (thanatēphoros) — death-bearing, causing death, fatal, lethal

Root θανάτ-, φερ- to die, to bear, to carry

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2287-01 θανατηφόρου thanatephorou ADJ.A GEN M SG deadly of a death-bringing one deadly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2287-01 James 3:8 θανατηφόρου thanatephorou ADJ.A GEN M SG deadly of a death-bringing one deadly
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