ῥαντίζω
rhantízō
G4472 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sprinkle; primarily used of applying small amounts of liquid by flicking or scattering drops, especially in ritual or symbolic gestures. In ritual and cultic contexts, to apply by sprinkling as a ceremonial act (e.g., of purifying, consecrating, or atoning). Can also carry a metaphorical sense of symbolically imparting or transmitting something by the act of sprinkling.
Semantic Range
to sprinkle (ritually or literally), to purify or consecrate by sprinkling, to impart or effect purification or atonement symbolically, to ceremonially apply liquid by flicking or scattering; metaphorically, to bestow or transmit purity or blessing through symbolic act
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb ῥαίνω (rhainō, 'to sprinkle'), with the causative suffix -ίζω indicating 'to cause to be sprinkled' or 'to perform the act of sprinkling.' The stem ῥαντ- appears explicitly in this form. Related to earlier Greek ῥαίνω (rhainō) and the noun ῥαντισμός (sprinkling).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb ῥαντίζω is rare in classical Greek but becomes common in Jewish-Greek literature, especially in the Septuagint (LXX) to translate Hebrew forms of the root נזה (n-z-h, to sprinkle). It primarily refers to ritual or cultic activity—especially of sprinkling blood, water, or oil to achieve ritual purification or consecration (cf. Leviticus, Numbers, Hebrews). In the New Testament, its usage continues this sense, focusing on ritual cleansing or symbolic acts rather than generic spraying or moistening. Later Christian tradition (and consequently English translations) often render it as 'sprinkle' in the context of baptismal or purification language, but the verb is more specifically anchored to ceremonial acts and symbolic transference of purity or atonement. It should not be confused with verbs describing general washing (λούω) or pouring (χεῶ). In contemporary English translations, 'sprinkle' usually captures the action, but may obscure the technical and ritual significance of the term in the ancient context. Its metaphorical extension to inward or spiritual cleansing is prominent in Hebrews (see Hebrews 9:13, 12:24, 10:22).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of (to sprinkle); to render besprinkled, i.e. asperse (ceremonially or figuratively):-- sprinkle.
Root Family
ῥαντ- (rhantízō) — to sprinkle, to scatter drops
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4473 | ῥαντισμός | ritual sprinkling |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4472-01 |
ἐράντισεν | erantisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he sprinkled | he sprinkled | he sprinkled | 2 |
G4472-02 |
ῥαντίζουσα | rantizousa | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
sprinkling | she who is sprinkling | sprinkling | 1 |
G4472-03 |
ῥεραντισμένοι | rerantismenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having been sprinkled | having been sprinkled | having been sprinkled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4472-02 |
Hebrews 9:13 | ῥαντίζουσα | rantizousa | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
sprinkling | she who is sprinkling | sprinkling |
G4472-01 |
Hebrews 9:19 | ἐράντισεν | erantisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he sprinkled | he sprinkled | he sprinkled |
G4472-01 |
Hebrews 9:21 | ἐράντισεν | erantisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he sprinkled | he sprinkled | he sprinkled |
G4472-03 |
Hebrews 10:22 | ῥεραντισμένοι | rerantismenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having been sprinkled | having been sprinkled | having been sprinkled |