βαπτίζω (G907) — Greek Lexicon

βαπτίζω

baptízō

G907 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To immerse or dip into liquid, with the primary sense of submerging an object or person in water. In Koine Greek contexts, βαπτίζω is used both in literal senses (such as immersing material in liquid for dyeing or cleaning) and in ritual or ceremonial contexts for purification or initiation, particularly in relation to religious washings and initiations. In the New Testament, it frequently refers specifically to the act of ritual immersion or washing, often as a sign of repentance, initiation, or purification.

Semantic Range

to immerse in liquid, to submerge, to dip (in dye or for cleaning), to perform ritual washing, to conduct initiation through immersion, to undergo religious purification, (in extended use) to overwhelm or cover completely

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root βαπτ-, related to βάπτω ('to dip, to plunge'). Originally from the notion of submerging or dipping an object in liquid, with βαπτίζω generally carrying a more intensive or repetitive sense than βάπτω. No certain Semitic influence; purely Greek in formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βαπτίζω primarily described the literal act of immersing or plunging objects into liquid, often in domestic or craft contexts (e.g., dyers immersing fabrics). By the Hellenistic period, the term appears in broader ritual and metaphorical uses, especially in Jewish practice where ritual immersion (in miqvaʾoth) became standard for purification. In the Septuagint, βαπτίζω is rare, but related terms are used for ritual washings. In the New Testament, βαπτίζω acquires specific ritualistic significance through the activity of John the Baptizer ('ὁ βαπτιστής'), indicating a public act of immersion as a symbol of repentance or identity formation, and later, initiation into assemblies (ekklesiai). Standard English translations often render βαπτίζω as 'baptize', a transliteration rather than translation, which can obscure the original sense of physical and ritual immersion. The term does not specify the mode (full immersion, partial, or affusion) and is context-dependent. Not to be confused with λούω or νίπτω, which commonly denote washing without full immersion.

Translation Consistency

primary "immerse" 50 occurrences

‘Immerse’ best captures the primary and most common sense of βαπτίζω — to dip or submerge in liquid — while naturally covering both literal (dyeing, washing) and ritual initiation/purification uses. It matches the majority of existing renderings (e.g. “immersed/immerse/immersing”) and avoids the specifically theological transliteration ‘baptize,’ giving a neutral, natural English verb that also accommodates extended senses (overwhelm/cover).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of βάπτω; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.

Root Family

βαπτ- (embáptō) — to dip, to immerse, to submerge

Root βαπτ- to dip, to immerse, to submerge

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1686	ἐμβάπτω	having dipped into liquid
G908	βάπτισμα	ritual immersion
G909	βαπτισμός	in ritual immersion
G910	Βαπτιστής	the immerser
G911	βάπτω	having dipped

Word Forms

29 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G907-05`	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed	10
`G907-16`	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing	7
`G907-24`	ἐβαπτίσθη	ebaptisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was baptized	was immersed	was immersed	5
`G907-29`	ἐβαπτίζοντο	ebaptizonto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL`	they were baptized	they were being immersed	they were being immersed	5
`G907-21`	ἐβάπτισα	ebaptisa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I baptized	I immersed	I immersed	4
`G907-23`	ἐβάπτισεν	ebaptisen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	baptized	he immersed	he immersed	4
`G907-27`	ἐβαπτίσθητε	ebaptisthete	`V AOR PASS IND 2P PL`	were you baptized	you were immersed	you were immersed	4
`G907-02`	βαπτίσει	baptisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will baptize	he/she/it will immerse	will immerse	3
`G907-04`	βαπτισθεὶς	baptistheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed	3
`G907-08`	βαπτισθήσεσθε	baptisthesesthe	`V FUT PASS IND 2P PL`	shall be baptized	you will be immersed	you will be immersed	3
`G907-13`	βαπτίζω	baptizo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	baptize	I immerse	immerse	3
`G907-25`	ἐβαπτίσθημεν	ebaptisthemen	`V AOR PASS IND 1P PL`	were baptized	we were immersed	we were immersed	3
`G907-06`	βαπτισθέντες	baptisthentes	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed	2
`G907-10`	βαπτίζει	baptizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	baptizes	immerses	immerses	2
`G907-11`	βαπτίζειν	baptizein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to baptize	to immerse	to immerse	2
`G907-14`	βαπτίζομαι	baptizomai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	am baptized	I am being immersed	I am being immersed	2
`G907-26`	ἐβαπτίσθησαν	ebaptisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were baptized	they were immersed	they were immersed	2
`G907-28`	ἐβάπτιζεν	ebaptizen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	baptized	was immersing	was immersing	2
`G907-01`	βάπτισαι	baptisai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	be baptized	immerse yourself	immerse yourself	1
`G907-03`	βαπτίσωνται	baptisontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they wash	they might immerse themselves	they might immerse themselves	1
`G907-07`	βαπτισθέντος	baptisthentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed	1
`G907-09`	βαπτισθήτω	baptistheto	`V AOR PASS IMP 3P SG`	be_baptized	let him be immersed	let him be immersed	1
`G907-12`	βαπτίζεις	baptizeis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	do you baptize	you are immersing	you are immersing	1
`G907-15`	βαπτιζόμενοι	baptizomenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	are baptized	those being immersed	being immersed	1
`G907-17`	βαπτίζονται	baptizontai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P PL`	are they baptized	they are being immersed	are immersed	1
`G907-18`	βαπτίζοντες	baptizontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	baptizing	those immersing	immersing	1
`G907-19`	βαπτίζοντος	baptizontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	Baptist	of the one immersing	of the one immersing	1
`G907-20`	βεβαπτισμένοι	bebaptismenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	having been baptized	those having been immersed	those having been immersed	1
`G907-22`	ἐβαπτίσαντο	ebaptisanto	`V AOR MID IND 3P PL`	were baptized	they immersed themselves	they immersed themselves	1

Occurrences in Scripture

77 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G907-29`	Matthew 3:6	ἐβαπτίζοντο	ebaptizonto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL`	they were being baptized	they were being immersed	they were being immersed
`G907-13`	Matthew 3:11	βαπτίζω	baptizo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	baptize	I immerse	immerse
`G907-02`	Matthew 3:11	βαπτίσει	baptisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will baptize	he/she/it will immerse	will immerse
`G907-05`	Matthew 3:13	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-05`	Matthew 3:14	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-04`	Matthew 3:16	βαπτισθεὶς	baptistheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-18`	Matthew 28:19	βαπτίζοντες	baptizontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	baptizing	those immersing	immersing
`G907-16`	Mark 1:4	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-29`	Mark 1:5	ἐβαπτίζοντο	ebaptizonto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL`	they were baptized	they were being immersed	they were being immersed
`G907-21`	Mark 1:8	ἐβάπτισα	ebaptisa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	baptized	I immersed	I immersed
`G907-02`	Mark 1:8	βαπτίσει	baptisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will baptize	he/she/it will immerse	will immerse
`G907-24`	Mark 1:9	ἐβαπτίσθη	ebaptisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was baptized	was immersed	was immersed
`G907-16`	Mark 6:14	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	Baptist	immersing	immersing
`G907-19`	Mark 6:24	βαπτίζοντος	baptizontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	Baptist	of the one immersing	of the one immersing
`G907-03`	Mark 7:4	βαπτίσωνται	baptisontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they wash	they might immerse themselves	they might immerse themselves
`G907-14`	Mark 10:38	βαπτίζομαι	baptizomai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	am baptized with	I am being immersed	I am being immersed
`G907-05`	Mark 10:38	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-14`	Mark 10:39	βαπτίζομαι	baptizomai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	am baptized	I am being immersed	I am being immersed
`G907-08`	Mark 10:39	βαπτισθήσεσθε	baptisthesesthe	`V FUT PASS IND 2P PL`	you will be baptized	you will be immersed	you will be immersed
`G907-04`	Mark 16:16	βαπτισθεὶς	baptistheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-05`	Luke 3:7	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-05`	Luke 3:12	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-13`	Luke 3:16	βαπτίζω	baptizo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	baptize	I immerse	immerse
`G907-02`	Luke 3:16	βαπτίσει	baptisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will baptize	he/she/it will immerse	will immerse
`G907-05`	Luke 3:21	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	were baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-07`	Luke 3:21	βαπτισθέντος	baptisthentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-06`	Luke 7:29	βαπτισθέντες	baptisthentes	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-06`	Luke 7:30	βαπτισθέντες	baptisthentes	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-24`	Luke 11:38	ἐβαπτίσθη	ebaptisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	he-was-washed	was immersed	was immersed
`G907-05`	Luke 12:50	βαπτισθῆναι	baptisthenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be baptized	to be immersed	to be immersed
`G907-12`	John 1:25	βαπτίζεις	baptizeis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	do you baptize	you are immersing	you are immersing
`G907-13`	John 1:26	βαπτίζω	baptizo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	baptize	I immerse	immerse
`G907-16`	John 1:28	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-16`	John 1:31	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-11`	John 1:33	βαπτίζειν	baptizein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to baptize	to immerse	to immerse
`G907-16`	John 1:33	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-28`	John 3:22	ἐβάπτιζεν	ebaptizen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	baptized	was immersing	was immersing
`G907-16`	John 3:23	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-29`	John 3:23	ἐβαπτίζοντο	ebaptizonto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL`	were being baptized	they were being immersed	they were being immersed
`G907-10`	John 3:26	βαπτίζει	baptizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	baptizes	immerses	immerses
`G907-10`	John 4:1	βαπτίζει	baptizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	baptizing	immerses	immerses
`G907-28`	John 4:2	ἐβάπτιζεν	ebaptizen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	baptized	was immersing	was immersing
`G907-16`	John 10:40	βαπτίζων	baptizon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	baptizing	immersing	immersing
`G907-23`	Acts 1:5	ἐβάπτισεν	ebaptisen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	baptized	he immersed	he immersed
`G907-08`	Acts 1:5	βαπτισθήσεσθε	baptisthesesthe	`V FUT PASS IND 2P PL`	will be baptized	you will be immersed	you will be immersed
`G907-09`	Acts 2:38	βαπτισθήτω	baptistheto	`V AOR PASS IMP 3P SG`	be_baptized	let him be immersed	let him be immersed
`G907-26`	Acts 2:41	ἐβαπτίσθησαν	ebaptisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	were baptized	they were immersed	they were immersed
`G907-29`	Acts 8:12	ἐβαπτίζοντο	ebaptizonto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL`	they were baptized	they were being immersed	they were being immersed
`G907-04`	Acts 8:13	βαπτισθεὶς	baptistheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been baptized	having been immersed	having been immersed
`G907-20`	Acts 8:16	βεβαπτισμένοι	bebaptismenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	having been baptized	those having been immersed	those having been immersed

← G906 Greek Lexicon G908 →