λιθάζω (G3034) — Greek Lexicon

λιθάζω

litházō

G3034 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To throw stones at someone or something, typically as an act of execution, punishment, or attack; by extension, to stone (to death). The primary meaning is to strike or attempt to kill by hurling stones, with an emphasis on execution by stoning in judicial or extrajudicial contexts. In some contexts, may refer more generally to pelting with stones, whether for punishment, hostility, or rejection.

Semantic Range

to throw stones at, to stone to death (as judicial or extrajudicial punishment), to attack with stones, to attempt or threaten with stoning

Root / Etymology

From the noun λίθος (lithos, 'stone') with the verbal suffix -άζω, forming denominative verbs indicating the action of using the base noun (here, 'to stone').

Historical & Contextual Notes

λιθάζω appears primarily in Hellenistic and Koine Greek with a specific legal and social context—judicial execution by stoning, a known penalty in Second Temple Judea and in the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint, λιθάζω most often renders Hebrew רגַם (ragam), expressing the prescribed punishment for certain capital offenses according to Israelite law. In the New Testament (e.g., John 8:5–7; Acts 7:58–59), the verb is used to describe the attempted or actual stoning of individuals considered guilty of significant transgressions. The verb can sometimes be used in less formal settings to indicate mob violence, hostility, or attempts to harm or drive someone away by throwing stones. English translations often simply render it 'to stone,' but the cultural resonance of stoning as both judicial execution and mob violence is important to consider. In Greco-Roman legal traditions, stoning was not a standard punishment, highlighting the term’s strong association with Israelite/Judean/Semitic legal and social practice. The noun λίθος (stone) frequently appears with the verb as the instrumental object. The verb does not denote simply 'to strike' or 'to kill,' but rather specifies method and social context.

Translation Consistency

primary "stone" 9 occurrences

“Stone” is the natural, common English verb that covers the full SILEX range—to throw stones at, to attack with stones, and to execute by stoning. It is concise, idiomatic, and best supports consistent inflection across all forms of G3034.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from λίθος; to lapidate:--stone.

Root Family

λιθάζω (lithazō) — to stone, to throw stones, to pelt with stones

Root λιθ- to stone, to throw stones

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3034-09`	λιθάζομέν	lithazomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we stone	we are stoning	we are stoning	1
`G3034-02`	ἐλιθάσθησαν	elithasthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were stoned	they were stoned	they were stoned	1
`G3034-01`	ἐλιθάσθην	elithasthen	`V AOR PASS IND 1P SG`	I was stoned	I was stoned	I was stoned	1
`G3034-07`	λιθάζειν	lithazein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to stone	to stone	to stone	1
`G3034-06`	λιθασθῶσιν	lithasthosin	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	they should be stoned	they may be stoned	they may be stoned	1
`G3034-04`	λιθάσαντες	lithasantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having stoned	having stoned	having stoned	1
`G3034-05`	λιθάσωσιν	lithasosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	stone	they might stone	they might stone	1
`G3034-08`	λιθάζετε	lithazete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	do you stone	you are stoning	are you stoning	1
`G3034-03`	λιθάσαι	lithasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to stone	to stone	to stone	1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3034-07`	John 8:5	λιθάζειν	lithazein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to stone	to stone	to stone
`G3034-05`	John 10:31	λιθάσωσιν	lithasosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	stone	they might stone	they might stone
`G3034-08`	John 10:32	λιθάζετε	lithazete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	do you stone	you are stoning	are you stoning
`G3034-09`	John 10:33	λιθάζομέν	lithazomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we stone	we are stoning	we are stoning
`G3034-03`	John 11:8	λιθάσαι	lithasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to stone	to stone	to stone
`G3034-06`	Acts 5:26	λιθασθῶσιν	lithasthosin	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	they should be stoned	they may be stoned	they may be stoned
`G3034-04`	Acts 14:19	λιθάσαντες	lithasantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having stoned	having stoned	having stoned
`G3034-01`	2 Corinthians 11:25	ἐλιθάσθην	elithasthen	`V AOR PASS IND 1P SG`	I was stoned	I was stoned	I was stoned
`G3034-02`	Hebrews 11:37	ἐλιθάσθησαν	elithasthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were stoned	they were stoned	they were stoned

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