Lexical Summary sbennumi: To quench, to extinguish, to put out Original Word: σβέννυμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance extinguish, quench. A prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to extinguish (literally or figuratively) -- go out, quench. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to quench NASB Translation extinguish (1), going (1), put (1), quench (1), quenched (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4570: ζβέννυμιζβέννυμι, see σβέννυμι and under the word Sigma. STRONGS NT 4570: σβέννυμισβέννυμι (ζβέννυμι, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Tdf. (cf. Sigma)) and (in classics) σβεννύω; future σβέσω; 1 aorist ἐσβεσα; passive, present σβεννυμαι; from Homer down; the Sept. for כִּבָּה and דָּעַך, to extinguish, quench; a. properly: τί, fire or things on fire, Matthew 12:20; Ephesians 6:16; Hebrews 11:34; passive (the Sept. for כָּבָה), to be quenched, to go out: Matthew 25:8; Mark 9:44, 46 (both which vss. T WH omit; Tr brackets), 48. b. metaphorically, to quench, i. e. to suppress, stifle: τό πνεῦμα, divine influence, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ἀγάπην, Song of Solomon 8:7; τά πάθη, 4 Macc. 16:4; χόλον, Homer, Iliad 9, 678; ὕβριν, Plato, legg. 8, 835 d.; τόν θυμόν, ibid. 10, 888 a.). Overview The verb translated “to quench” or “to extinguish” is applied both literally (putting out physical fire) and metaphorically (silencing, suppressing, rendering powerless). Its eight New Testament occurrences form a rich tapestry that moves from heroic deliverance to eschatological judgment, from Christ’s gentle ministry to the believer’s warfare against evil. Old Testament Background Quenching language saturates the Hebrew Scriptures. In Isaiah 42:3, the Servant is foretold as one who “will not extinguish a smoldering wick.” Psalm 118:12, Isaiah 43:17, and Daniel 3:27 use similar imagery for divine protection or judgment. These passages prepare the reader for the New Testament’s deployment of quenching imagery, especially in messianic expectation and covenant faithfulness. Literal Deliverance from Flames (Hebrews 11:34) The catalog of faith heroes notes that some “quenched the flames of fire,” recalling Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as well as countless unnamed martyrs who trusted God amid execution attempts. Their triumph demonstrates that physical elements yield to faith and divine sovereignty, underscoring the writer’s exhortation to persevere. Lamp Oil and Perseverance (Matthew 25:8) In the parable of the ten virgins, the foolish cry, “Our lamps are going out.” The impending extinction of their lamps portrays lives unprepared for the Bridegroom’s arrival. Quenching here signals spiritual negligence; what is lost is not a flame but an opportunity for joyful entrance into the kingdom. Unquenchable Fires of Judgment (Mark 9:44, 46, 48) Three times Jesus speaks of Gehenna “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” The repetition highlights irrevocable judgment. Unlike the flames subdued in Hebrews 11:34, these fires stand beyond human control, affirming the eternal consequence of unrepentant sin and the solemnity of divine justice. Messiah’s Compassionate Ministry (Matthew 12:20) Quoting Isaiah 42:3, Matthew presents Jesus: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” Here quenching is deliberately withheld. Christ nurtures the weakest spark of faith, assuring bruised souls that He will carry them until His just reign is fully realized. Spiritual Sensitivity: Do Not Quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Paul warns, “Do not quench the Spirit.” Suppressing Holy Spirit promptings—through sin, unbelief, or stubborn refusal—stifles congregational vitality. The command appears amid instructions on prophecy, prayer, and discernment, embedding Spirit-sensitivity in the DNA of church life. Defensive Warfare: Quenching Fiery Arrows (Ephesians 6:16) Believers wield the “shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The Roman scutum, often soaked to douse pitch-tipped arrows, frames the metaphor. Faith in Christ disarms accusations, temptations, and doubts, demonstrating the sufficiency of God’s armor. Theological and Pastoral Themes • Preservation versus Destruction: Scripture portrays God as the One who both quells destructive fire for His people and maintains an unquenchable fire for the impenitent. Historical Interpretation Early Church writers applied the Thessalonian command to resisting heresy and moral laxity. Reformers emphasized the sufficiency of Scripture and preached against quenching the Spirit through ecclesiastical tradition. Modern missions movements see Ephesians 6:16 as assurance that gospel advance will extinguish Satan’s assaults. Ministry Applications 1. Encourage believers to cultivate faith that shields against doctrinal error and temptation. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4570 weaves together themes of deliverance, judgment, perseverance, and Spirit-empowered living. Whether literally dampening flames or metaphorically stifling divine influence, the act of quenching confronts every believer with a decisive choice: to trust God’s preserving power and keep the flame of faith alive, or to risk the irreversible fires of separation from Him. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 12:20 V-FIA-3SGRK: τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει ἕως ἂν NAS: WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL KJV: not quench, till INT: smoldering not he will quench until anyhow Matthew 25:8 V-PIM/P-3P Mark 9:44 V-PIP-3S Mark 9:46 V-PIP-3S Mark 9:48 V-PIM/P-3S Ephesians 6:16 V-ANA 1 Thessalonians 5:19 V-PMA-2P Hebrews 11:34 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 4570 |
    |