2341. thériomacheó

Lexicon

thériomacheó: To fight with wild beasts

Original Word: θηριομαχέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thériomacheó
Pronunciation: thay-ree-om-akh-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (thay-ree-om-akh-eh'-o)
Definition: To fight with wild beasts
Meaning: I fight with wild beasts (i.e. wild beasts in human form); met: I am exposed to fierce hostility.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fight with wild beasts.

From a compound of therion and machomai; to be a beast-fighter (in the gladiatorial show), i.e. (figuratively) to encounter (furious men) -- fight with wild beasts.

see GREEK therion

see GREEK machomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from thérion and machomai
Definition
to fight with wild beasts
NASB Translation
fought with wild beasts (1), wild beasts (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2341: θηριομαχέω

θηριομαχέω, θηριομάχω: 1 aorist ἐθηριομάχησα; (θηριομαχος); to fight with wild beasts (Diodorus 3, 43, 7; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 54; 5, 49); εἰ ἐθηριομάχησα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ, 1 Corinthians 15:32 — these words some take literally, supposing that Paul was condemned to fight with wild beasts; others explain them tropically of a fierce contest with brutal and ferocious men (so θηριομάχειν in Ignatius ad Rom. 5 [ET] (etc.); ὁιοις θηρίοις μαχομεθα says Pompey, in the Appendix, bell. 104:2,61; see θηρίον). The former opinion encounters the objection that Paul would not have omitted this most terrible of all perils from the catalog in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From θηρίον (thērion, meaning "wild beast") and μάχομαι (machomai, meaning "to fight")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for θηριομαχέω, as it is a specific Greek term with a unique metaphorical application in the New Testament. However, the concept of battling or contending with adversaries can be related to Hebrew terms such as לָחַם (lacham, Strong's Hebrew 3898), meaning "to fight" or "to battle," which is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to describe physical and spiritual conflicts.

Usage: This term is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe a severe struggle or conflict, often of a spiritual or moral nature, rather than a literal battle with animals.

Context: The term θηριομαχέω appears in the New Testament in a metaphorical context, specifically in 1 Corinthians 15:32. The Apostle Paul uses this term to describe his experiences in Ephesus, where he faced significant opposition and challenges. The phrase "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain?" (BSB) suggests that Paul is referring to intense adversities and conflicts with hostile forces, possibly including both human and spiritual opposition.

In the cultural context of the Roman Empire, fighting wild beasts was a form of entertainment in the arenas, often resulting in the death of the combatant. By using this imagery, Paul emphasizes the severity and life-threatening nature of the challenges he faced. However, the absence of any historical record of Paul literally fighting animals suggests that he is speaking figuratively about the spiritual and physical trials encountered during his missionary work.

The use of θηριομαχέω highlights the intensity of the Christian struggle against opposition and persecution. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers are engaged in, as they contend with forces that oppose the message of the Gospel. This term underscores the perseverance and faith required to overcome such trials, drawing on the strength and victory found in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

εθηριομαχησα εθηριομάχησα ἐθηριομάχησα etheriomachesa etheriomáchesa ethēriomachēsa ethēriomáchēsa

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 15:32 V-AIA-1S
GRK: κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ἐθηριομάχησα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ
NAS: motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus,
KJV: of men I have fought with beasts at
INT: according to man I fought wild beasts in Ephesus

Strong's Greek 2341
1 Occurrence

ἐθηριομάχησα — 1 Occ.