3557. nosphizó

Lexicon

nosphizó: To misappropriate, to embezzle, to keep back, to steal.

Original Word: νοσφίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nosphizó
Pronunciation: nos-FEE-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (nos-fid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: To misappropriate, to embezzle, to keep back, to steal.
Meaning: I rob; mid: I set apart for myself, appropriate for my own benefit, purloin.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

keep back, purloin.

Middle voice from nosphi (apart or clandestinely); to sequestrate for oneself, i.e. Embezzle -- keep back, purloin.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from nosphi (apart)
Definition
to abandon, to set apart
NASB Translation
keep back (1), kept back (1), pilfering (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3557: νοσφίζω

νοσφίζω: middle, present participle νοσφιζόμενος; 1 aorist ἐνοσφισαμην; (νόσφι afar, apart); to set apart, separate, divide; middle to set apart or separate for oneself, i. e. to purloin, embezzle, withdraw covertly and appropriate to one's own use: χρήματα, Xenophon, Cyril 4, 2, 42; Plutarch, Lucull. 37; Aristid. 4; μηδέν τῶν ἐκ τῆς διαρπαγης, Polybius 10, 16, 6; χρυσώματα, 2 Macc. 4:32; ἀλλότρια, Josephus, Antiquities 4, 8, 29; absolutely, Titus 2:10; (τί) ἀπό τίνος, Acts 5:2, 3 (here A. V. keep back); the Sept. Joshua 7:1; ἐκ τίνος, Athen. 6, p. 234 a.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word νοσφί (nosphi), meaning "apart" or "separate."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for νοσφίζω, the concept of deceitful withholding or embezzlement can be related to Hebrew terms such as גָּנַב (ganab • Strong's Hebrew 1589), meaning "to steal," and כָּזַב (kazab • Strong's Hebrew 3576), meaning "to lie" or "to deceive." These terms similarly convey the moral implications of dishonesty and misappropriation in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: The verb νοσφίζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of secretly withholding or misappropriating something that is meant to be shared or given. It carries the connotation of deceit and selfishness.

Context: The term νοσφίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts that highlight the moral and ethical implications of deceitful withholding. It is notably used in Acts 5:2-3, where Ananias and Sapphira are described as withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while pretending to donate the entire amount to the early Christian community. This act of deception is met with severe consequences, underscoring the seriousness of integrity and honesty within the Christian faith.

In Acts 5:2 (BSB), it is written: "With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet." The apostle Peter confronts Ananias in Acts 5:3 (BSB), saying, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?"

The use of νοσφίζω in this passage highlights the spiritual and communal breach caused by deceit. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of transparency and truthfulness in the life of believers. The narrative emphasizes that deceit not only harms the individual but also disrupts the unity and trust within the community of faith.

Forms and Transliterations

ενοσφίσαντο ενοσφισατο ενοσφίσατο ἐνοσφίσατο νοσφιζομενους νοσφιζομένους νοσφισασθαι νοσφίσασθαι enosphisato enosphísato nosphisasthai nosphísasthai nosphizomenous nosphizoménous

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 5:2 V-AIM-3S
GRK: καὶ ἐνοσφίσατο ἀπὸ τῆς
NAS: and kept back [some] of the price
KJV: And kept back [part] of the price,
INT: and kept back from the

Acts 5:3 V-ANM
GRK: ἅγιον καὶ νοσφίσασθαι ἀπὸ τῆς
NAS: Spirit and to keep back [some] of the price
KJV: and to keep back [part] of
INT: Holy and to keep back from the

Titus 2:10 V-PPM-AMP
GRK: μὴ νοσφιζομένους ἀλλὰ πᾶσαν
NAS: not pilfering, but showing all
KJV: Not purloining, but shewing
INT: not pilfering but all

Strong's Greek 3557
3 Occurrences

ἐνοσφίσατο — 1 Occ.
νοσφίσασθαι — 1 Occ.
νοσφιζομένους — 1 Occ.