ἱεροσυλέω
hierosyléō
G2416 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To commit temple robbery; to steal sacred objects or property from a temple. In broader contexts, to violate or profane what is sacred, especially in relation to temples or cultic property. The primary sense is theft of, or sacrilege against, that which is dedicated to a deity.
Semantic Range
to rob a temple, to steal cultic objects, to violate sacred property, to commit sacrilege, to profane what is sacred, to act as a temple-robber
Root / Etymology
From ἱερόσυλος (temple-robber), itself from ἱερόν (temple, sacred place) and συλάω (to despoil, rob). The root structure directly combines ideas of 'sacred' and 'robbery.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἱεροσυλέω is attested from Hellenistic Greek onward, with its core application being the theft or desecration of items or property belonging to a temple or cult site. In inscriptions and legal documents, the term refers to specific legal charges related to the removal of offerings or valuables from temples. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 2:22), it may carry a slightly broader sense of committing an act of sacrilege, especially with a focus on questions of consistency or hypocrisy (e.g., condemning idolaters but themselves profaning the sacred). LXX and Second Temple sources use it almost exclusively to refer to literal robbery of sacred space or goods. English 'commit sacrilege' typically reflects the broader, figurative sense, but Greek usage is often more concretely associated with actual temple theft or violation. The related noun ἱερόσυλος combines the same roots and refers to a 'temple-robber,' distinguishing it from more generalized language for theft (e.g., κλέπτης).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἱερόσυλος; to be a temple-robber (figuratively):--commit sacrilege.
Root Family
ἱεροσυλέω (hierosyleō) — to rob sacred things, to despoil a temple, to commit sacrilege
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2416-01 |
ἱεροσυλεῖς | ierosuleis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
do you rob temples | you are committing temple-robbery | you are committing temple-robbery | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2416-01 |
Romans 2:22 | ἱεροσυλεῖς | ierosuleis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
do you rob temples | you are committing temple-robbery | you are committing temple-robbery |