Strong's Lexicon portheó: To destroy, to ravage, to lay waste Original Word: πορθέω Word Origin: Derived from a derivative of the same as πέρθω (pertho), meaning to sack or destroy. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent in Strong's Concordance, similar concepts of destruction or laying waste can be found in Hebrew words like שָׁדַד (shadad - Strong's H7703) meaning to devastate or destroy. Usage: The verb "portheó" is used in the New Testament to describe acts of destruction or devastation, often in the context of persecution or violent actions against a group or place. It conveys a sense of thorough and aggressive ruin. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, acts of destruction were common in military conquests and political upheavals. The term "portheó" would have been understood in the context of sacking cities or persecuting groups, reflecting the turbulent and often violent nature of ancient societies. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the actions of Saul (later Paul) before his conversion, highlighting the intensity of his persecution against the early Christians. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom perthó (to ravage) Definition to destroy NASB Translation destroy (2), destroyed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4199: πορθέωπορθέω: imperfect ἐπόρθουν; 1 aorist participle πορθήσας; (πέρθω, πεπορθα, to lay waste); from Homer down; to destroy, to overthrow (R. V. uniformly to make havock): τινα, Acts 9:21; τήν ἐκκλησίαν, Galatians 1:13; τήν πίστιν, ibid. 23. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance destroy, waste. Prolongation from pertho (to sack); to ravage (figuratively) -- destroy, waste. Forms and Transliterations επορθει επόρθει ἐπόρθει επορθουν επόρθουν ἐπόρθουν πορθησας πορθήσας eporthei epórthei eporthoun epórthoun porthesas porthēsas porthḗsasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 9:21 V-APA-NMSGRK: ἐστιν ὁ πορθήσας εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ NAS: not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those KJV: this he that destroyed them which INT: is the [one] having destroyed in Jerusalem Galatians 1:13 V-IIA-1S Galatians 1:23 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 4199 |