476. antidikos

Lexicon

antidikos: Adversary, opponent

Original Word: ἀντίδικος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: antidikos
Pronunciation: an-TEE-dee-kos
Phonetic Spelling: (an-tid'-ee-kos)
Definition: Adversary, opponent
Meaning: an opponent (at law), an adversary.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

adversary.

From anti and dike; an opponent (in a lawsuit); specially, Satan (as the arch-enemy) -- adversary.

see GREEK anti

see GREEK dike

HELPS Word-studies

476 antídikos (from 473 /antí, "against, off-set" and 1349 /díkē, "justice, a judge") – properly, a prosecuting attorney arguing a case-at-law; an "opponent at law" (TDNT).

476 /antídikos ("an accuser, adversary") brings formal charges, i.e. as they are binding to exact penalty. Satan acts as such an adversary, bringing the "(law)suit" of darkness against believers for their eternal damnation (cf. 1 Pet 5:8). Offsetting this is the perfect sacrifice of Christ (Jn 19:30)!

[476 (antídikos) is "an adversary in a lawsuit," from anti/"against," and dīkē/"a lawsuit," WS, 319.

476 (antidikos) is a technical legal term used in antiquity of an adversary in a courtroom, i.e. someone seeking official (formal, binding) damages.

The papyri (Pl Phdr 237) used 476 (antídikos) of an opponent in a law suit.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from anti and diké
Definition
an opponent, adversary
NASB Translation
adversary (1), opponent (3), opponent at law (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 476: ἀντίδικος

ἀντίδικος, ἀντίδικον (δίκη); as a substantive ὁ ἀντίδικος a. an opponent in a suit at law: Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:58; Luke 18:3 (Xenophon, Plato, often in the Attic orators).

b. universally, an adversavy, enemy (Aesehyl. Ag. 41; Sir. 33:9; 1 Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 41:11, etc.): 1 Peter 5:8 (unless we prefer to regard the devil as here called ἀντίδικος because he accuses men before God).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἀντί (anti, meaning "against") and δίκη (dikē, meaning "justice" or "judgment").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek term ἀντίδικος corresponds to several Hebrew terms that convey the idea of an adversary or accuser, such as:
• H340: אֹיֵב (oyeb) • enemy, foe
• H7854: שָׂטָן (satan) • adversary, accuser

These Hebrew terms similarly reflect the concept of opposition and enmity, whether in a physical, legal, or spiritual sense, and are used throughout the Old Testament to describe those who stand against God's people or purposes.

Usage: The term ἀντίδικος is used in the New Testament to describe an adversary or opponent, often in a legal or spiritual sense. It appears in contexts where there is a conflict or accusation, highlighting the role of an opponent who seeks to challenge or accuse.

Context: The term ἀντίδικος is used in the New Testament to convey the concept of an adversary or opponent, particularly in legal or spiritual battles. In 1 Peter 5:8, the word is used metaphorically to describe the devil as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Here, ἀντίδικος emphasizes the devil's role as an accuser and opponent of believers, highlighting the need for vigilance and resistance.

In Luke 12:58, the term is used in a more literal legal context: "Make an effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on the way, lest he drag you off to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison." This passage advises settling disputes quickly to avoid legal consequences, using ἀντίδικος to describe the opposing party in a legal dispute.

The use of ἀντίδικος in these contexts underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing opposition, whether it be spiritual or legal. It serves as a reminder of the adversarial forces believers may face and the necessity of being prepared to confront them.

Forms and Transliterations

αντίδικοί αντιδίκοις αντίδικον αντίδικόν αντιδικος αντίδικος ἀντίδικος αντιδικου αντιδίκου ἀντιδίκου αντιδίκους αντιδικω αντιδίκω ἀντιδίκῳ αντίζηλον αντίζηλος antidiko antidikō antidíkoi antidíkōi antidikos antídikos antidikou antidíkou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:25 N-DMS
GRK: εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ
NAS: quickly with your opponent at law
KJV: with thine adversary quickly,
INT: agreeing with adversary of you quickly

Matthew 5:25 N-NMS
GRK: παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ
NAS: with your opponent at law while
KJV: lest at any time the adversary deliver
INT: deliver the adversary to the judge

Luke 12:58 N-GMS
GRK: μετὰ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου σου ἐπ'
NAS: you are going with your opponent to appear before
KJV: thine adversary to
INT: with the adversary of you before

Luke 18:3 N-GMS
GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου μου
NAS: Give me legal protection from my opponent.'
KJV: of mine adversary.
INT: of the adversary of me

1 Peter 5:8 N-NMS
GRK: γρηγορήσατε ὁ ἀντίδικος ὑμῶν διάβολος
NAS: [spirit], be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil,
KJV: because your adversary the devil, as
INT: watch the adversary of you [the] devil

Strong's Greek 476
5 Occurrences

ἀντιδίκῳ — 1 Occ.
ἀντίδικος — 2 Occ.
ἀντιδίκου — 2 Occ.