Berean Strong's Lexicon sukophanteó: To accuse falsely, to extort, to defraud Original Word: συκοφαντέω Word Origin: From a compound of σῦκον (sukon, meaning "fig") and φαίνω (phainō, meaning "to show" or "to make known") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "sukophanteó," the concept of false accusation and extortion can be related to Hebrew terms such as שָׁקַר (shakar, meaning "to lie") and עָשַׁק (ashaq, meaning "to oppress" or "to extort"). Usage: The verb "sukophanteó" is used to describe the act of making false accusations or engaging in extortion. In the New Testament, it conveys the idea of exploiting or defrauding others, often through deceitful means. The term implies a moral and ethical wrongdoing, highlighting the sin of bearing false witness or taking advantage of others for personal gain. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, a "sukophant" was someone who made false accusations, often for personal gain or to curry favor with authorities. The term originally referred to informers who reported illegal exportation of figs from Athens, but it evolved to describe anyone who engaged in slander or deceitful practices. In the context of the New Testament, this behavior was contrary to the ethical teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who emphasized honesty, integrity, and love for one's neighbor. HELPS Word-studies 4811 sykophantéō (from 4810 /sýkon, "a fig" and 5316 /phaínō, "make known") – properly, a "fig-informer" using "inside information" to defraud (falsely accuse). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sukon and phainó Definition to accuse falsely NASB Translation accuse...falsely (1), defrauded (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4811: συκοφαντέωσυκοφαντέω, συκοφάντω; 1 aorist ἐσυκοφάντησα; (from συκοφάντης, and this from σῦκον 'fig', and φαίνω 'to show'. At Athens those were called συκοφανται whose business it was to inform against anyone whom they might detect exporting figs out of Attica; and as sometimes they seem to have extorted money from those loath to he exposed, the name συκοφάντης from the time of Aristophanes down was a general term of opprobrium to designate a malignant informer, a calumniator; a malignant and base accuser from love of gain (but cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word); hence, the verb συκοφάντω signifies) 1. to accuse wrongfully, to calumniate, to attack by malicious devices (Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, others). 2. to exact money wrongfully; to extort from, defraud: Luke 3:14 (here R. V. margin accuse wrongfully); with a genitive of the person and accusative of the thing, Luke 19:8 (τριάκοντα μνᾶς παρά τίνος Lysias, p. 177, 32. The Sept. for עָשַׁק, to oppress, defraud, Job 35:9; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Psalm 118:122 From a compound of sukon and a derivative of phaino; to be a fig-informer (reporter of the law forbidding the exportation of figs from Greece), "sycophant", i.e. (genitive and by extension) to defraud (exact unlawfully, extort) -- accuse falsely, take by false accusation. see GREEK sukon see GREEK phaino Englishman's Concordance Luke 3:14 V-ASA-2PGRK: διασείσητε μηδὲ συκοφαντήσητε καὶ ἀρκεῖσθε NAS: or accuse [anyone] falsely, and be content KJV: neither accuse [any] falsely; and INT: oppress nor accuse falsely and be content with Luke 19:8 V-AIA-1S Strong's Greek 4811 |
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