Original Word: πτωχεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ptócheuó
Pronunciation: pto-khyoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pto-khyoo'-o)
Definition: I am in poverty, am a beggar.
Meaning: To be poor, to become destitute, to live in poverty.

Word Origin: Derived from πτωχός (ptōchos), meaning "poor" or "destitute."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7326 רוּשׁ (rush): To be poor, to lack.
• H1800 דַּל (dal): Poor, weak, needy.
• H6041 עָנִי (ani): Afflicted, humble, poor.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the state of poverty and are often used in the Old Testament to describe both material and spiritual neediness, paralleling the New Testament usage of πτωχεύω.

Usage: The verb πτωχεύω is used in the New Testament to describe the state of being impoverished or living in poverty. It conveys both a literal and metaphorical sense of lacking material wealth or spiritual richness.

Context: The Greek verb πτωχεύω appears in the New Testament to express the condition of poverty, both in a physical and spiritual sense. It is used to describe individuals or groups who are materially destitute, as well as those who recognize their spiritual neediness before God.

In the New Testament, the concept of poverty is often linked with humility and reliance on God. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (BSB), the apostle Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." Here, πτωχεύω is used metaphorically to describe Christ's voluntary impoverishment for the sake of humanity's spiritual enrichment.

The term also appears in Revelation 2:9 (BSB), where the church in Smyrna is commended: "I know your afflictions and your poverty—though you are rich!" This usage highlights the paradox of spiritual wealth amidst material poverty, emphasizing the value of spiritual riches over earthly possessions.

Theologically, πτωχεύω underscores the Christian call to recognize one's spiritual poverty and dependence on God's grace. It challenges believers to prioritize spiritual wealth and to serve those who are materially poor, reflecting the heart of Christ's mission.

Cognate: 4433 ptōxeúō – to become utterly poor (destitute); hence, to become extremely vulnerable ("helpless"). 4433/ptōxeúō ("become destitute") is only used in 2 Cor 8:9 of the physical humiliations Christ voluntarily experienced in His mission here on earth. See 4434 (ptōxos).

Word Origin
from ptóchos
Definition
to be a beggar, be destitute
NASB Translation
became (1).

STRONGS NT 4433: πτωχεύω

πτωχεύω: 1 aorist ἐπτώχευσα; (πτωχός, which see); properly, to be a beggar, to beg; so in classical Greek from Homer down; in the N. T. once, to be poor: 2 Corinthians 8:9, on which see πλούσιος, b. at the end (Tobit 4:21; the Sept. for דָּלַל to be weak, afflicted, Judges 6:6; Psalm 78:8 (; for נורַשׁ to be reduced to want, Proverbs 23:21; רוּשׁ to be needy, Psalm 33:11 ().

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

become poor.

From ptochos; to be a beggar, i.e. (by implication) to become indigent (figuratively) -- become poor.

see GREEK ptochos

Forms and Transliterations

επτωχεύσαμεν επτώχευσαν επτώχευσε επτωχευσεν επτώχευσεν ἐπτώχευσεν πτωχεύσαι πτωχεύσει πτωχίζει eptocheusen eptōcheusen eptṓcheusen

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts