ὁπλίζω
hoplízō
G3695 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To arm or equip with weapons or armor; in extended sense, to prepare or make ready for combat, struggle, or a specific undertaking. In the middle or passive voice, often conveys preparing oneself or being prepared, both physically (with arms) and metaphorically (with qualities or virtues for conflict or challenge).
Semantic Range
to arm or equip with weapons, to furnish with armor, to make ready for war or conflict, to prepare oneself; to arm or prepare in a figurative or moral sense
Root / Etymology
From the noun ὅπλον (hoplon, 'weapon, tool') with the verbal suffix -ίζω, forming a causative-denominative verb: 'to equip with arms' or 'to turn into an armed person.' The root relates to objects used for protection or combat.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὁπλίζω appears in classical Greek as early as the 5th century BCE, especially in military and civic contexts for arming soldiers. The related noun ὅπλον often referred to the shield or arms of a hoplite (heavy infantry). In Hellenistic and Koine periods, the verb broadens to figurative usages—particularly in philosophical, moral, and religious literature, where arming can refer to readiness with particular qualities (e.g., virtues, intentions). In the Septuagint and New Testament, ὁπλίζω can denote literal preparation for battle (arming oneself or others), as well as metaphorical preparedness for spiritual or moral struggle (e.g., 'arming oneself with a mind' in 1 Peter 4:1). English translations often limit the range to literal 'arming,' but in Greek usage, the term can include mental and spiritual readiness. The verb contrasts subtly with στρατεύω ('to wage war, serve as a soldier'), since ὁπλίζω emphasizes preparation and equipping, not the act of fighting itself. The semantic range persists through later Greek with both literal and extended senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅπλον; to equip (with weapons (middle voice and figuratively)):--arm self.
Root Family
ὁπλ- (kathoplízō) — to arm, to equip, to prepare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2528 | καθοπλίζω | having been fully armed |
| G3696 | ὅπλον | implements |
| G3833 | πανοπλία | full suit of armor |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3695-01 |
ὁπλίσασθε | oplisasthe | V AOR MID IMP 2P PL |
arm yourselves | Arm yourselves | Arm yourselves | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3695-01 |
1 Peter 4:1 | ὁπλίσασθε | oplisasthe | V AOR MID IMP 2P PL |
arm yourselves | Arm yourselves | Arm yourselves |