2274. héttaomai
Lexical Summary
héttaomai: To be defeated, to be inferior, to be overcome

Original Word: ἡττάομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: héttaomai
Pronunciation: hayt-tah'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (hayt-tah'-o)
KJV: be inferior, overcome
NASB: overcome, treated as inferior
Word Origin: [neuter of comparative of heka (slightly) used for that of G2556 (κακός - evil)]

1. to make worse, i.e. vanquish
2. (by implication) to rate lower
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be inferior, overcome.

From the same as hetton; to make worse, i.e. Vanquish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to rate lower -- be inferior, overcome.

see GREEK hetton

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as héssón
Definition
to be inferior
NASB Translation
overcome (2), treated as inferior (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2274: ἡσσάομαι

ἡσσάομαι, see ἡττάω and under the word Sigma.

STRONGS NT 2274: ἡττάωἡττάω: (ἥττων); to make less, inferior, to overcome (the active is only in Polybius, Diodorus, Josephus, Antiquities 12, 7, 1 (other examples in Veitch, under the word)); passive ἡττάομαι, from (Sophocles and) Herodotus down; perfect ή῾ττημαι; 1 aorist ἡττήθην (ἡσσωθην, 2 Corinthians 12:13 L T Tr WH; in opposed to which form cf. Fritzsche, De conform. N. T. crit. quam Lachmann edition, p. 32 (yet see Kuenen and Cobet, N. T. ad fid. Vat., p. xc.; WHs Appendix, p. 166; Buttmann, 59 (52); Veitch, under the word)); to be made inferior; to be overcome, worsted: in war, ὑπό τίνος, 2 Macc. 10:24; universally, τίνι (cf. Buttmann, 168 (147); Winer's Grammar, 219 (206)), to be conquered by one, forced to yield to one, 2 Peter 2:19; absolutely, 2 Peter 2:20. τί ὑπέρ τινα, equivalent to ἧττον ἔχω τί, to hold a thing inferior, set below (on the accusative () cf. Buttmann, § 131, 10; and on the comparitive use of ὑπέρ see ὑπέρ, II. 2 b.), 2 Corinthians 12:13.

Topical Lexicon
Root Meaning and Concept

The verb denotes the experience of being bested, outmatched, or made inferior. It speaks of a moral, spiritual, or relational defeat rather than mere physical loss. The focus is on the one who succumbs to a stronger influence and, in so doing, forfeits freedom or standing.

Old Testament Background

Though the exact Greek term is absent from the Septuagint, its idea echoes the frequent Hebrew descriptions of Israel’s defeats when covenant unfaithfulness placed the nation under foreign powers (for example, Judges 2:14). These narratives prepare the theological soil for the New Testament contrast between bondage under sin and victory in covenant faithfulness.

New Testament Usage

2 Corinthians 12:13 – Paul asks whether the Corinthians were “inferior to the other churches,” highlighting felt deficiency, not of grace, but of their perception of apostolic ministry.
2 Peter 2:19 – False teachers “are slaves to corruption. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him”. The verb pictures the inward capitulation of teachers who preach liberty while personally defeated by depravity.
2 Peter 2:20 – Those who “are again overcome” after escaping the pollutions of the world illustrate relapse into a worse condition, reinforcing the gravity of apostasy.

Theological Insights

1. Bondage to Sin versus Freedom in Christ. The Petrine uses expose sin’s tyrannical capacity: when one yields, slavery follows. The gospel offers true emancipation; surrendering again to evil opposes the very nature of salvation.
2. Apostolic Integrity. Paul’s rhetorical employment underscores that authentic ministry is not measured by outward impressiveness but by faithfulness. The apostle willingly appeared “inferior” if it meant magnifying Christ’s sufficiency.
3. Eschatological Warning. Being overcome is framed as a decisive event with eternal repercussions (2 Peter 2:20); lapse after enlightenment places the soul in jeopardy of final ruin.

Historical and Cultural Background

In classical Greek culture the term regularly described military defeat or legal disadvantage. New Testament writers adopt this secular imagery to portray spiritual warfare, communicating to their Hellenistic audiences that capitulation to sin is as real and disastrous as losing a battle or lawsuit.

Ministry and Discipleship Significance

• Vigilance. Believers must guard against incremental compromises that culminate in full defeat. Regular self-examination, corporate accountability, and immersion in Scripture form a bulwark against relapse.
• Authentic Freedom. Teaching on liberty must be tethered to personal holiness; otherwise, ministry lapses into hypocrisy echoed by 2 Peter 2:19.
• Encouragement for the Struggling. While the verb is sober, it also implies the possibility of victory. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Restoration is available for the repentant, and the community of faith must extend grace alongside warning.
• Humility in Service. Paul’s admission of apparent inferiority challenges modern ministry metrics. God’s power is displayed in weakness, not in worldly triumphalism.

Summary

The occurrences of Strong’s Greek 2274 form a cohesive biblical witness: spiritual defeat is real, progressive, and perilous, yet avoidable through abiding in Christ. The term summons believers and leaders alike to steadfastness, authentic freedom, and humble reliance on the conquering power of the gospel.

Forms and Transliterations
ησσωθητε ἡσσώθητε ηττάσθε ηττηθέντες ηττήθη ηττήθησαν ηττηθήσεσθε ηττηθήσεται ηττηθήσονται ηττήθητε ηττήσεις ηττηται ήττηται ἥττηται ηττωνται ηττώνται ἡττῶνται essothete ēssōthēte ettetai ēttētai ettontai ēttōntai hessothete hessṓthete hēssōthēte hēssṓthēte hettetai hēttētai hḗttetai hḗttētai hettontai hettôntai hēttōntai hēttō̂ntai
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Englishman's Concordance
2 Corinthians 12:13 V-AIP-2P
GRK: ἐστιν ὃ ἡσσώθητε ὑπὲρ τὰς
NAS: For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest
KJV: wherein ye were inferior to
INT: is it that you were inferior beyond the

2 Peter 2:19 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: γάρ τις ἥττηται τούτῳ δεδούλωται
NAS: a man is overcome, by this
KJV: of whom a man is overcome, of the same
INT: indeed anyone has been subdued by that he is held in bondage

2 Peter 2:20 V-PIM/P-3P
GRK: πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες ἡττῶνται γέγονεν αὐτοῖς
NAS: entangled in them and are overcome, the last
INT: again having been entangled they are subdued has become to them

Strong's Greek 2274
3 Occurrences


ἡσσώθητε — 1 Occ.
ἥττηται — 1 Occ.
ἡττῶνται — 1 Occ.

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