ἀπαιτέω
apaitéō
G523 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To demand back, to exact or require something that is owed or previously given; to ask for the return of what rightfully belongs to oneself. In various contexts, this may refer to the reclamation of a debt, property, or favor previously granted. The primary sense is that of a strong, formal request or demand for repayment or restitution.
Semantic Range
to demand back, to require repayment, to claim restitution, to exact, to reclaim as owed or due, to ask again
Root / Etymology
From ἀπό ('from, away from') and αἰτέω ('to ask, request'). The prefix ἀπό intensifies the verb to indicate asking back or demanding return rather than a neutral request.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἀπαιτέω appears in Hellenistic and Koine Greek to denote a strong or legalistic demand for repayment or restitution, rather than a simple request. In the New Testament, its usage is rare and always implies the expectation that the demand is just or rooted in the recovery of an original right or possession (e.g., what has been given, lent, or owed). In the Septuagint and broader Koine literature, it may be used with respect to repayment of debts, fulfillment of promises, or retribution (e.g., demanding an account for bloodshed, see LXX Genesis 9:5). Unlike αἰτέω, which is more broadly "to ask" or "to request," ἀπαιτέω is confined to contexts of rightful demand or legal claim. Standard English translations as "require" or "demand back" may not fully capture the word’s sense of rightful entitlement and formal reclamation present in its typical usage. There is little semantic overlap with more neutral words for asking, and it should not be confused with δεῖται ("to need") or ἐρωτάω ("to ask").
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and αἰτέω; to demand back:--ask again, require.
Root Family
αἰτ- (aitéō) — to ask, to request, to demand
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G154 | αἰτέω | to ask for |
| G155 | αἴτημα | a requested thing |
| G156 | αἰτία | cause |
| G157 | αἰτίαμα | formal accusations |
| G158 | αἴτιον |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G523-01 |
ἀπαίτει | apaitei | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
demand back | Demand back | demand back | 1 |
G523-02 |
ἀπαιτοῦσιν | apaitousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
is required | they are demanding back | they are demanding back | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G523-01 |
Luke 6:30 | ἀπαίτει | apaitei | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
demand back | Demand back | demand back |
G523-02 |
Luke 12:20 | ἀπαιτοῦσιν | apaitousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
is required | they are demanding back | they are demanding back |