μεταστρέφω (G3344) — Greek Lexicon

μεταστρέφω

metastréphō

G3344 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To change or alter something fundamentally in form or character; to turn something into a different state, often with the nuance of reversal, transformation, or distortion. In some contexts, to pervert or corrupt, especially in the sense of twisting the intended character or meaning.

Semantic Range

to change, alter, or transform fundamentally; to turn into something else; to distort, pervert, or corrupt (often teaching or moral values); to make the opposite; to reverse

Root / Etymology

From μετά (with, after, change) and στρέφω (to turn), thus literally 'to change by turning' or 'to turn about/change around.' The compound emphasizes a significant or thorough change, whether physical, metaphorical, or moral.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic Greek. The verb μεταστρέφω appears in a limited number of New Testament passages (e.g., Galatians 1:7; James 4:9), often conveying the idea of fundamental alteration or distortion, especially with regard to teachings or emotional states. In secular Greek, the term can bear the broader sense of turning or transforming, such as altering the appearance or direction of something. By the Koine period, the verb commonly implies the act of making something into its opposite or distorting its original state. Standard English translations often render μεταστρέφω as 'pervert' or 'turn,' but the word may carry a wider semantic range, including neutral or negative connotations depending on context. The Septuagint uses related verbs to translate Hebrew words for turning or changing, but μεταστρέφω itself is rare in the LXX. It is distinct from verbs like μεταμορφόω (to transform, specifically in outward form) and στρέφω (to turn, generally), in that μεταστρέφω emphasizes a significant or complete reversal or alternation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and στρέφω; to turn across, i.e. transmute or (figuratively) corrupt:--pervert, turn.

Root Family

μεταστρέφω (metastrephō) — to turn, to change, to alter

Root στρεφ- to turn, to change, to alter

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3344-02`	μεταστρέψαι	metastrepsai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to pervert	to turn into another state	to distort	1
`G3344-01`	μεταστραφήσεται	metastraphesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be turned	will be fundamentally changed	will be fundamentally changed	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3344-01`	Acts 2:20	μεταστραφήσεται	metastraphesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be turned	will be fundamentally changed	will be fundamentally changed
`G3344-02`	Galatians 1:7	μεταστρέψαι	metastrepsai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to pervert	to turn into another state	to distort

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