πολεμέω
poleméō
G4170 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To engage in warfare or battle, either literally (to wage war, fight armed conflict) or figuratively (to struggle, contend, oppose strongly). The verb denotes active participation in hostilities, whether as an individual, group, or nation. In figurative contexts, it may refer to intense opposition, struggle, or conflict of a non-military nature, such as spiritual or ideological contest.
Semantic Range
to wage war, to fight in battle, to engage in armed conflict, to contend fiercely, to oppose strongly, to struggle (figurative)
Root / Etymology
From πόλεμος (polemos, 'war, battle') + verbal ending -έω, forming action verbs from noun bases; thus, 'to carry out war.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
πολεμέω appears from classical Greek onward, consistently referring to the act of waging war or engaging in battle. In classical texts, it primarily described military activity between city-states, troops, or individuals, whether defensive or offensive. In the Hellenistic period and in the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew verbs like לחם (lacham, 'to fight, battle'), used to narrate Israelite and neighboring peoples' military actions. In the New Testament, usage may extend metaphorically, such as spiritual conflict (e.g., Revelation 2:16; 12:7), where the sense shifts from literal battlefield context to conflict in the heavenly or ethical sphere. In each context, the verb retains the sense of active opposition or struggle. English translations often render the term 'to make war' or 'fight,' but nuance may be lost where context moves from literal to metaphorical struggle. Differentiated from related terms like μάχομαι ('to fight,' sometimes emphasizing personal combat or contention) and στρατεύομαι ('to serve as a soldier or wage campaign').
Translation Consistency
Polémeō primarily means to engage in armed conflict or to contend fiercely; "fight" is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers both literal warfare (fight/battle) and figurative struggle or opposition (fight against, fight for). It reads smoothly in varied contexts and will provide consistent, idiomatic renderings across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πόλεμος; to be (engaged) in warfare, i.e. to battle (literally or figuratively):--fight, (make) war.
Root Family
πολεμ- (poleméō) — to wage war, to fight, to battle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4171 | πόλεμος | in war |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4170-04 |
πολεμῆσαι | polemesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to fight | to wage war | to fight | 2 |
G4170-01 |
ἐπολέμησεν | epolemesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
fought | he waged war | waged war | 1 |
G4170-02 |
πολεμεῖ | polemei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
makes war | he/she/it wages war | he/she/it wages war | 1 |
G4170-03 |
πολεμεῖτε | polemeite | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you war | you wage war | you wage war | 1 |
G4170-05 |
πολεμήσω | polemeso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will fight | I will wage war | I will wage war | 1 |
G4170-06 |
πολεμήσουσιν | polemesousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
will make war | they will wage war | they will wage war | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4170-03 |
James 4:2 | πολεμεῖτε | polemeite | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you war | you wage war | you wage war |
G4170-05 |
Revelation 2:16 | πολεμήσω | polemeso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will fight | I will wage war | I will wage war |
G4170-04 |
Revelation 12:7 | πολεμῆσαι | polemesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to fight | to wage war | to fight |
G4170-01 |
Revelation 12:7 | ἐπολέμησεν | epolemesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
fought | he waged war | waged war |
G4170-04 |
Revelation 13:4 | πολεμῆσαι | polemesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to wage war | to wage war | to fight |
G4170-06 |
Revelation 17:14 | πολεμήσουσιν | polemesousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
will make war | they will wage war | they will wage war |
G4170-02 |
Revelation 19:11 | πολεμεῖ | polemei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
makes war | he/she/it wages war | he/she/it wages war |