ξενίζω (G3579) — Greek Lexicon

ξενίζω

xenízō

G3579 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To receive or entertain as a guest, to offer hospitality. In extended senses, to be surprised or astonished (lit. to experience something as unfamiliar or unexpected), to regard as strange. The primary sense is the action of hosting or providing accommodation for someone from outside one's group or locale. Secondary senses include reacting to something perceived as foreign, novel, or extraordinary.

Semantic Range

to receive or entertain as a guest, to provide lodging or hospitality, to be (or make) a guest, to perceive or regard something as strange, to be astonished, to experience as unfamiliar or novel

Root / Etymology

From ξένος (xénos), meaning 'stranger, foreigner, guest'. ξενίζω is the verb formation built upon this noun stem, originally indicating the act of treating someone as a ξένος (i.e., showing hospitality to a guest or stranger).

Historical & Contextual Notes

ξενίζω appears in both classical and Koine Greek with the core idea of hosting or welcoming outsiders, and thus is used both for literal hospitality and, by extension, for being surprised by something unfamiliar (since guests/strangers were often associated with novelty). In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 10:6, 10:18; Hebrews 13:2), it often refers to lodging someone from outside one's circle. In other contexts (e.g., 1 Peter 4:4, 4:12), it describes the reaction of being astonished or finding something unusual. The passive or middle uses may emphasize being received as a guest or being made to experience something foreign or unexpected. English translations often render it as 'entertain,' 'receive,' 'lodge,' 'be astonished,' or 'find it strange,' but usually do not capture the cultural connotation of Mediterranean hospitality to outsiders, nor the connection between 'stranger' and 'the experience of strangeness.' The word bridges concepts of social boundaries (guest/stranger) and psychological response (astonishment at the unfamiliar), a nuance sometimes lost in translation. Not to be confused with related terms like φιλοξενέω ('show love to strangers'), which more explicitly emphasizes affection or positive regard.

Translation Consistency

primary "host" 7 occurrences

The primary meaning of ξενίζω is to receive/entertain as a guest or provide lodging; “host” is the most natural, concise English verb that conveys hosting/hospitality. It’s commonly used for offering accommodation and hospitality (more precise than “receive” or “welcome”), and secondary senses (e.g., be surprised) are rare and can be handled contextually.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):

"surprised" (2x) "astonishing things" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ξένος; to be a host (passively, a guest); by implication, be (make, appear) strange:--entertain, lodge, (think it) strange.

Root Family

ξενίζω (xenizō) — to act as a host, to receive as a guest, to offer hospitality, to regard as strange

Root ξεν- to act as a host, to receive as a guest, to cause to experience something as unfamiliar

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3579-05`	ξενίζεται	xenizetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is lodging	is being hosted as guest	is being hosted as a guest	3
`G3579-01`	ἐξένισεν	exenisen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	entertained	he hosted as a guest	he hosted as a guest	2
`G3579-04`	ξενίζεσθε	xenizesthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be surprised	be regarded as strange	be surprised	1
`G3579-07`	ξενίζονται	xenizontai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P PL`	they are surprised	they are being received as guests	they are surprised	1
`G3579-06`	ξενίζοντα	xenizonta	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL`	strange things	astonishing things	astonishing things	1
`G3579-03`	ξενισθῶμεν	xenisthomen	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P PL`	we were to lodge	we might be hosted	we might be hosted	1
`G3579-02`	ξενίσαντες	xenisantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	entertained	having hosted	having hosted	1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3579-05`	Acts 10:6	ξενίζεται	xenizetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is lodging	is being hosted as guest	is being hosted as a guest
`G3579-05`	Acts 10:18	ξενίζεται	xenizetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	was staying	is being hosted as guest	is being hosted as a guest
`G3579-01`	Acts 10:23	ἐξένισεν	exenisen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	lodged	he hosted as a guest	he hosted as a guest
`G3579-05`	Acts 10:32	ξενίζεται	xenizetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is staying	is being hosted as guest	is being hosted as a guest
`G3579-06`	Acts 17:20	ξενίζοντα	xenizonta	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL`	strange things	astonishing things	astonishing things
`G3579-03`	Acts 21:16	ξενισθῶμεν	xenisthomen	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P PL`	we were to lodge	we might be hosted	we might be hosted
`G3579-01`	Acts 28:7	ἐξένισεν	exenisen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	entertained	he hosted as a guest	he hosted as a guest
`G3579-02`	Hebrews 13:2	ξενίσαντες	xenisantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	entertained	having hosted	having hosted
`G3579-07`	1 Peter 4:4	ξενίζονται	xenizontai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P PL`	they are surprised	they are being received as guests	they are surprised
`G3579-04`	1 Peter 4:12	ξενίζεσθε	xenizesthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be surprised	be regarded as strange	be surprised

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