λυμαίνομαι
lymaínomai
G3075 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause severe harm, to mistreat or damage, often with the nuance of violent abuse or grievous injury. In various contexts, can mean to physically destroy, to cause ruin, or to deal harshly and with damaging effect to someone or something. The term carries strong overtones of malicious or violent treatment.
Semantic Range
to inflict grievous harm, to damage, to cause ruin, to maltreat, to abuse, to make havoc, to destroy
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun λύμα (filth, defilement, something foul) with the verb-forming middle/passive ending -ομαι, likely denoting either being involved with defilement or causing defiling harm. Related to λύω but not directly cognate; the precise etymology is obscure, but it is most commonly linked to λύμα.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, λυμαίνομαι appears from at least the 5th century BCE, often with the sense of inflicting harm or ruin, sometimes in a ritual or polluting context. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, it retains the sense of causing serious injury, ill treatment, or destruction—especially violent or physical harm to persons or things. The verb is notably intense, not referring to minor harm but to substantial damage or abuse. In the New Testament (Acts 8:3; 9:21; 1 Maccabees 7:7 LXX), it refers specifically to violent persecution, wholesale destruction, or the wreaking of havoc, especially upon communities (for example, Saul's persecution of the ekklēsia). English translations like 'make havock of' or 'destroy' often soften or miss the intensity and violence inherent in the Koine term. In contrast to milder words for insult or disparage, λυμαίνομαι nearly always denotes a harsh, damaging act. Related terms: διαφθείρω (to corrupt, destroy), καταστρέφω (to overthrow, ruin), both of which can overlap in rhetorical function but tend to focus more on the result than the abusive process itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice from a probably derivative of λύω (meaning filth); properly, to soil, i.e. (figuratively) insult (maltreat):--make havock of.
Root Family
λυμαίνομαι (lymainomai) — to ruin, to abuse, to damage, to destroy
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3075-01 |
ἐλυμαίνετο | elumaineto | V IMPF MID IND 3P SG |
was ravaging | was wreaking ruin | was ravaging | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3075-01 |
Acts 8:3 | ἐλυμαίνετο | elumaineto | V IMPF MID IND 3P SG |
was ravaging | was wreaking ruin | was ravaging |