Lexical Summary aichmalóteuó: To take captive, to lead away captive Original Word: αἰχμαλωτεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lead captive. From aichmalotos; to capture (like aichmalotizo) -- lead captive. see GREEK aichmalotos see GREEK aichmalotizo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aichmalótos Definition to lead captive NASB Translation led captive (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 162: αἰχμαλωτεύωαἰχμαλωτεύω; 1 aorist ἠχμαλώτευσα; a later word (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 442; (Winers Grammar, 92 (88).)); to make captive, take captive: 2 Timothy 3:6 Rec.; frequent in the Sept. and O. T. Apocrypha; to lead captive: Ephesians 4:8 (Ezekiel 12:3; (1 Esdr. 6:15)). Topical Lexicon Imagery of Triumph and CaptivityThe verb ᾐχμαλώτευσεν in Ephesians 4:8 evokes the spectacle of an ancient victory procession. Conquering kings paraded their defeated foes in chains, displaying absolute mastery. Paul borrows this cultural picture to portray the risen Christ, who has routed every hostile power—sin, death, and demonic forces—by His cross and resurrection. The captives in His train are not believers but the vanquished enemies of God (compare Colossians 2:15). Old Testament Background Paul cites Psalm 68:18, a psalm celebrating Yahweh’s triumphal ascent to Zion after subduing Israel’s foes. The psalmist declares, “You ascended on high, leading captives in Your train” (cf. Psalm 68:18). Earlier echoes appear in Judges 5:12, where Deborah summons Barak to “take captivity captive.” These passages establish the biblical pattern: God defeats the oppressor, ascends to His dwelling, and then pours out blessings on His people. Paul sees the psalm’s ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s ascension. New Testament Usage Ephesians 4:8 contains the sole New Testament occurrence, yet its impact radiates through the surrounding context. Having “led captives away,” the ascended Lord “gave gifts to men.” Verses 11–13 identify those gifts as gifted persons—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—whose ministries equip the saints and build up the body of Christ. Thus the verb marks the historical hinge between Christ’s finished victory and the ongoing distribution of grace within the church. Christological Fulfillment The imagery underscores four facets of Christ’s exaltation: 1. Victory: He has decisively conquered every spiritual foe. Ministry Implications 1. Confidence in Spiritual Warfare – Believers engage the battle against evil from a position of Christ’s accomplished victory. Pastoral Application • Encourage believers struggling with bondage: the enemy who once held them captive is now himself captive to Christ. Eschatological Perspective The captive parade in heaven anticipates the final public display of Christ’s triumph when “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10). Until that day, the church stands as a living monument to His conquest, proclaiming liberty to those still enslaved and announcing judgment to unrepentant powers. Summary ᾐχμαλώτευσεν encapsulates the Gospel’s grand narrative: Christ conquers, ascends, and enriches His people. Understanding this single verb deepens appreciation for the church’s gifts, emboldens spiritual warfare, and fosters worship of the victorious, generous King. Forms and Transliterations αιχμαλωτευθήσεται αιχμαλωτευθήση αιχμαλωτεύθητι αιχμαλωτευομένη αιχμαλωτευόμενοι αιχμαλωτεύοντες αιχμαλωτευόντων αιχμαλωτεύσαι αιχμαλωτεύσαντες αιχμαλωτευσάντων αιχμαλωτεύση αιχμαλωτεύσουσί αιχμαλωτεύσουσιν ηχμαλωτεύθησαν ηχμαλώτευσαν ηχμαλώτευσας ηχμαλωτεύσατε ηχμαλώτευσε ηχμαλωτευσεν ηχμαλώτευσεν ᾐχμαλώτευσεν ηχμαλώτευται echmaloteusen ēchmalōteusen eichmalṓteusen ēichmalṓteusenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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