μεθίστημι
methístēmi
G3179 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause someone or something to move from one place or position to another; to transfer, remove, or displace either physically or metaphorically. In different contexts, it can refer to causing a change in status (such as deposing from an office), moving from one situation or state to another, or inducing someone to change their allegiance or way of thinking. The sense of movement or transition—whether literal or figurative—is core to this term.
Semantic Range
to transfer, to remove (physically or metaphorically), to depose (from office), to carry away, to change allegiance, to cause to change state or condition, to divert, to exchange
Root / Etymology
From μετά (with, after, change of place or state) and ἵστημι (to set, place, cause to stand). The compound thus conveys the idea of causing to stand in another place or state, i.e., to transfer or remove.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μεθίστημι appears with the literal sense of transferring a person, object, or even a city to another place or state, such as moving residents or changing alignment. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the verb retains the sense of transferring, often taking on metaphorical dimensions—for example, removing someone from an office (deposing), moving someone from one state of being to another, or diverting someone from their previous beliefs or practices. In the Septuagint, it can translate various Hebrew verbs relating to removal or displacement, and sometimes implies divine action as in the removal of kings. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 13:22; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:5), it can refer to deposing rulers, transferring persons spiritually or physically, or translating someone (as with Enoch). Standard English translations such as 'remove,' 'transfer,' 'depose,' or 'translate' reflect some, but not all, of its semantic scope. The nuance of mental or social change is also present but less prominent. The term is somewhat broader than English 'remove,' as it can imply both peaceful and forceful transition, physical or metaphorical movement, and even a change of allegiance or loyalty.
Translation Consistency
The SILEX range centers on moving or changing position/status—physically or metaphorically—and ‘transfer’ naturally captures moving, removing, or changing someone or something’s place or status (including deposition or change of allegiance). It is both precise and idiomatic for the typical uses of μεθίστημι and matches the attested P2 renderings (e.g., “transferred”).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μετά and ἵστημι; to transfer, i.e. carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce:--put out, remove, translate, turn away.
Root Family
μεθ-ἱστημι (methístēmi) — to move, to set, to place, to cause to stand, to change position
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3179-03 |
μετέστησεν | metestesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
transferred | he transferred | he transferred | 2 |
G3179-01 |
μετασταθῶ | metastatho | V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P SG |
I am removed | I might be transferred | I might be transferred | 1 |
G3179-02 |
μεταστήσας | metastesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having removed | having transferred | having removed | 1 |
G3179-04 |
μεθιστάναι | methistanai | V PRS ACT INF |
to remove | to transfer | to transfer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3179-01 |
Luke 16:4 | μετασταθῶ | metastatho | V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P SG |
I am removed | I might be transferred | I might be transferred |
G3179-02 |
Acts 13:22 | μεταστήσας | metastesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having removed | having transferred | having removed |
G3179-03 |
Acts 19:26 | μετέστησεν | metestesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
turned away | he transferred | he transferred |
G3179-04 |
1 Corinthians 13:2 | μεθιστάναι | methistanai | V PRS ACT INF |
to remove | to transfer | to transfer |
G3179-03 |
Colossians 1:13 | μετέστησεν | metestesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
transferred | he transferred | he transferred |