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πελεκίζω

pelekízō

G3990 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cut with an axe or similar instrument; more specifically, to behead or remove a part by chopping, typically referring to the removal of the head by decapitation. The core sense is that of striking off by force with a bladed tool. In some contexts, it may refer to general chopping or felling, but in Koine Greek, its use is specialized for the action of beheading.

Semantic Range

to cut or hew with an axe, to behead, to truncate by chopping, to execute by decapitation

Root / Etymology

Derived from πέλεκυς (pelekys, 'axe') with the verb-forming suffix -ίζω, indicating an action performed with an axe. The verb thus originally means 'to axe' or 'to hew with an axe.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

πέλεκίζω is a late Greek verb, attested primarily in Hellenistic and later periods. While the base noun πέλεκυς is common in earlier Greek literature for 'axe,' the verb form is less frequent and gains a specialized sense in Koine and later Greek, especially in legal and narrative contexts for execution by beheading. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage is rare and almost always denotes beheading as a form of execution, rather than literal wood-chopping or other cutting. The English tradition of translating with 'behead' narrows the range somewhat, as the Greek can contextually refer to other severing actions performed with an axe, but in biblical usage, decapitation is the primary referent. The verb is distinct from terms connected to the sword (e.g., ἀποκόπτω) and specifically draws attention to the instrument (axe) used. There is little evidence for broader metaphorical uses in the biblical corpus.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of πλήσσω (meaning an axe); to chop off (the head), i.e. truncate:--behead.

Root Family

πελεκίζω (pelekizō) — to chop, to cut with an axe, to behead

Root πελεκ- to chop, to cut with an axe, to behead

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3990-01 πεπελεκισμένων pepelekismenon V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL who had been beheaded having been beheaded having been beheaded 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3990-01 Revelation 20:4 πεπελεκισμένων pepelekismenon V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL who had been beheaded having been beheaded having been beheaded
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