1558. ekdikos

Lexicon

ekdikos: Avenger, one who executes justice

Original Word: ἔκδικος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: ekdikos
Pronunciation: EK-dee-kos
Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-dik-os)
Definition: Avenger, one who executes justice
Meaning: avenging, subst: an avenger (the word occurs frequently in the sense of a special advocate [champion] of a city).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

avenger.

From ek and dike; carrying justice out, i.e. A punisher -- a (re-)venger.

see GREEK ek

see GREEK dike

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1558 ékdikos – someone executing a just judgment, carrying out what is right which can include administering punishment for the wicked. See 1557 (ekdikēsis).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ek and diké
Definition
exacting penalty from, avenging
NASB Translation
avenger (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1558: ἔκδικος

ἔκδικος, ἔκδικον (δίκη right, justice, penalty);

1. "without law and justice (cf. Latinexlex), unjust": Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aelian n. an. 16, 5.

2. exacting penalty from (ἐκ) one; an avenger, punisher: Romans 13:4; περί τίνος, 1 Thessalonians 4:6; (Wis. 12:12; Sir. 30:6; 4 Macc. 15:26 (29); (Plutarch, de garrul. § 14, p. 509 f.); Herodian, 7, 4, 10 (5th edition, Bekker; others)).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning "out of" or "from") and δίκη (dikē, meaning "justice" or "judgment").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of an avenger or one who executes justice in the Hebrew Bible is often associated with the term גֹּאֵל (go'el, Strong's Hebrew 1350), which refers to a kinsman-redeemer or avenger of blood. Another related term is נָקָם (naqam, Strong's Hebrew 5358), meaning "to avenge" or "to take vengeance." These Hebrew terms convey similar themes of justice and retribution as seen in the Greek ἔκδικος.

Usage: The word ἔκδικος is used in the New Testament to describe a role or function related to the execution of justice or vengeance. It appears in contexts where divine or delegated authority is involved in punishing wrongdoing.

Context: The Greek term ἔκδικος is found in the New Testament, specifically in Romans 13:4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:6. In Romans 13:4, the apostle Paul describes governing authorities as "God's servant, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (BSB). Here, ἔκδικος is used to emphasize the role of civil authorities as instruments of divine justice, tasked with maintaining order and punishing those who do evil. This passage underscores the belief that governmental powers are established by God to uphold justice and righteousness.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:6, Paul warns believers against wronging or defrauding their brothers, stating, "The Lord is the avenger in all these things" (BSB). This usage highlights the divine aspect of ἔκδικος, where God Himself is portrayed as the ultimate enforcer of justice, ensuring that moral and ethical standards are upheld within the community of believers.

The concept of ἔκδικος reflects a broader biblical theme of justice and retribution, where both human and divine agents are seen as responsible for addressing wrongdoing. It aligns with the biblical understanding that justice is a fundamental aspect of God's character and His governance of the world.

Forms and Transliterations

εκδικος εκδίκος έκδικος ἔκδικος ekdikos ékdikos

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 13:4 Adj-NMS
GRK: διάκονός ἐστιν ἔκδικος εἰς ὀργὴν
NAS: of God, an avenger who brings wrath
KJV: of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath
INT: a servant he is an avenger for wrath

1 Thessalonians 4:6 Adj-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ διότι ἔκδικος Κύριος περὶ
NAS: the Lord is [the] avenger in all
KJV: that the Lord [is] the avenger of
INT: of him because avenging [is] [the] Lord concerning

Strong's Greek 1558
2 Occurrences

ἔκδικος — 2 Occ.