1993. epistomizó

Lexicon

epistomizó: To silence, to stop the mouth

Original Word: ἐπιστομίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epistomizó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-sto-MID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-stom-id'-zo)
Definition: To silence, to stop the mouth
Meaning: I muzzle, silence, stop the mouth.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

silence

From epi and stoma; to put something over the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) to silence -- stop mouths.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK stoma

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and stoma
Definition
to stop the mouth
NASB Translation
silenced (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1993: ἐπιστομίζω

ἐπιστομίζω; (στόμα); properly, to bridle or stop up the mouth; metaphorically, to stop the mouth, reduce to silence: Titus 1:11. (Plato, Gorgias, p. 482 e.; Demosthenes 85, 4; often in Plutarch, and Lucian.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and στόμα (stoma, meaning "mouth").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπιστομίζω, the concept of silencing or restraining speech can be found in various Hebrew terms related to stopping or shutting the mouth, such as:
• חָסַם (chacam) • to muzzle, to stop up (as used in Deuteronomy 25:4 regarding muzzling an ox).
• סָתַם (satham) • to stop up, to shut (as used in contexts of closing or stopping something).

These Hebrew terms, while not direct translations, share thematic similarities with the Greek concept of silencing or restraining speech or action for a specific purpose.

Usage: The verb ἐπιστομίζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of silencing or restraining someone, often in the context of preventing them from speaking or acting in a certain way.

Context: The Greek verb ἐπιστομίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts where there is a need to silence or restrain individuals from speaking or acting inappropriately. This term is used metaphorically to indicate the act of stopping someone from spreading falsehoods or causing disruption.

In Titus 1:11, the Apostle Paul instructs that certain individuals, who are teaching things they ought not to teach for the sake of dishonest gain, must be silenced: "They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole households by teaching things they should not, for the sake of dishonest gain." (BSB)

The use of ἐπιστομίζω in this passage underscores the importance of maintaining sound doctrine and protecting the community of believers from harmful teachings. The act of silencing is not merely about stopping speech but is also about preserving the integrity and unity of the church.

The concept of muzzling, as implied by ἐπιστομίζω, can also be seen in the broader biblical context where false prophets and teachers are warned against, and the truth of the Gospel is upheld as paramount. The term reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding the faith community from divisive and destructive influences.

Forms and Transliterations

επεστράτευσαν επιστομιζειν επιστομίζειν ἐπιστομίζειν επιστρατεύσαι epistomizein epistomízein

Englishman's Concordance

Titus 1:11 V-PNA
GRK: οὓς δεῖ ἐπιστομίζειν οἵτινες ὅλους
NAS: must be silenced because
KJV: mouths must be stopped, who subvert
INT: whom it is necessary to silence who whole

Strong's Greek 1993
1 Occurrence

ἐπιστομίζειν — 1 Occ.