Finding the Verb of a Greek Word?

Matt Leonard

Hey,

I'm trying to figure out how to find the 'verb' form of the word 'redemption' found in Ephesians 1:7.

When I use the Bible Word Study guide to says the word is ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) which it says is to 'set free' or 'liberate'.

But I've read that verb of the word means to 'loss'.

How do I find the verb of this word?

Also, I do not know Greek

Many thanks,

Matt

Rosie Perera

I'm trying to figure out how to find the 'verb' form of the word 'redemption' found in Ephesians 1:7.

When I use the Bible Word Study guide to says the word is ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) which it says is to 'set free' or 'liberate'.

But I've read that verb of the word means to 'loss'.

How do I find the verb of this word?

One way to do this is to open the Information tool (Tools --> Information) beside your Bible. (I'd also turn on the Inline Reverse Interlinear in your Bible if it's available; this is optional if you don't read the Greek alphabet; but if you don't, I'd set as a goal for yourself to learn the alphabet, as it will open up a whole world of reference resources to you)

Then when you click on the word in question in your Bible, the Information Panel will show info on that word. At the top is a Definition section which has abbreviated entries from several dictionaries and lexicons. I think this might be ordered by how you've prioritized your Library, but I'm not sure. At least in mine, ABD is listed first, and that's my top prioritized bible dictionary. Next in mine is TDNT (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament), which is a challenge to read if you don't know Greek, but it's an excellent resource.

TDNT's entry maps ἀπολύτρωσις onto its verb form, λύω (lyō). You can tell it's a verb because it ends with ω (omega), as do most Greek verbs in the first person singular.

If you click on the blue link, it will take you to TDNT's entry for that word. But if you hover over the blue link, you'll see an excerpt from the entry.

So in this particular case, you are right that the underlying verb means "to loose" (I presume loss was just a typo, since loss is a noun, not a verb) or "to release".