4417. ptaió
Lexicon
ptaió: To stumble, to fall, to err, to sin

Original Word: πταίω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ptaió
Pronunciation: ptah'-yo
Phonetic Spelling: (ptah'-yo)
Definition: To stumble, to fall, to err, to sin
Meaning: I stumble, fall, sin, err, transgress.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
offend, cause to stumble.

A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation) -- fall, offend, stumble.

see GREEK pipto

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
to cause to stumble, to stumble
NASB Translation
stumble (4), stumbles (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4417: πταίω

πταίω; future πταίσω; 1 aorist ἐπταισα; (akin to ΠΑΤΩ and πίπτω (cf. Vanicek, p. 466)); from (Pindar), Aeschylus, and Herodotus down;

1. transitive, τινα, to cause one to stumble or fall.

2. intransitive, to stumble: δίς πρός τόν αὐτόν λίθον, Polybius 31, 19, 5. tropically (cf. English trip, stumble)

a. to err, to make a mistake (Plato, Theact c. 15, p. 160 d.); to sin: absolutely Romans 11:11 (ἴδιον ἀνθρώπου φιλεῖν καί τούς πταιοντας, Antoninus 7, 22); πολλά, in many ways, James 3:2; ἐν ἑνί (namely, νόμῳ), to stumble in, i. e. sin against, one law, James 2:10 (but see εἷς, 2 a. at the end); ἐν λόγῳ (for the (more common) simple dative), to sin in word or speech, James 3:2.

b. to fall into misery, become wretched (often so in Greek writings): of the loss of salvation, 2 Peter 1:10.

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πταίω, the concept of stumbling or falling is present in several Hebrew words, such as:

• כָּשַׁל (kashal) • Strong's Hebrew 3782: To stumble, stagger, totter
• נָפַל (naphal) • Strong's Hebrew 5307: To fall, lie, be cast down

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the idea of physical stumbling or falling, as well as moral or spiritual failure, paralleling the Greek usage in the New Testament.

Usage: The verb πταίω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of stumbling or falling, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It often conveys the idea of making a mistake or committing a sin.

Context: The Greek verb πταίω (ptaiō) appears in the New Testament to describe the act of stumbling or falling, which can be understood both physically and spiritually. In a metaphorical sense, it often refers to moral or spiritual failure, akin to sinning or erring in one's ways.

In James 3:2, the term is used to highlight human imperfection: "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body." Here, πταίω underscores the universal nature of human error, particularly in speech, and the challenge of achieving moral perfection.

The concept of stumbling is also linked to the idea of causing others to fall into sin. In Romans 11:11, Paul uses a related form to discuss Israel's transgression: "Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! Instead, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious." This passage illustrates the theological depth of stumbling, suggesting that even errors can be part of a divine plan for redemption.

The use of πταίω in the New Testament serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for vigilance in one's spiritual walk. It calls believers to be mindful of their actions and words, recognizing the potential to err and the importance of seeking forgiveness and guidance.

Forms and Transliterations
επταίκασιν επταισαν έπταισαν ἔπταισαν έπταισεν πταιει πταίει πταιομεν πταίομεν πταίσαι πταίσει πταιση πταίσῃ πταίσης πταισητε πταίσητέ πταρμώ eptaisan éptaisan ptaiei ptaíei ptaiomen ptaíomen ptaise ptaisē ptaísei ptaísēi ptaisete ptaisēte ptaíseté ptaísēté
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 11:11 V-AIA-3P
GRK: οὖν μὴ ἔπταισαν ἵνα πέσωσιν
NAS: then, they did not stumble so
KJV: Have they stumbled that
INT: then not Did they stumble that they might fall

James 2:10 V-ASA-3S
GRK: νόμον τηρήσῃ πταίσῃ δὲ ἐν
NAS: and yet stumbles in one
KJV: law, and yet offend in one
INT: law shall keep shall stumble but in

James 3:2 V-PIA-1P
GRK: πολλὰ γὰρ πταίομεν ἅπαντες εἴ
NAS: For we all stumble in many [ways]. If
KJV: in many things we offend all.
INT: much indeed we stumble all If

James 3:2 V-PIA-3S
GRK: λόγῳ οὐ πταίει οὗτος τέλειος
NAS: anyone does not stumble in what he says,
KJV: all. If any man offend not in
INT: word not stumble this one [is] a perfect

2 Peter 1:10 V-ASA-2P
GRK: οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε
NAS: these things, you will never stumble;
INT: never not shall you stumble at any time

Strong's Greek 4417
5 Occurrences


ἔπταισαν — 1 Occ.
πταίει — 1 Occ.
πταίομεν — 1 Occ.
πταίσῃ — 1 Occ.
πταίσητέ — 1 Occ.















4416b
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