538. apataó

Lexicon

apataó: To deceive, to lead astray

Original Word: ἀπατάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apataó
Pronunciation: ah-pah-TAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-at-ah'-o)
Definition: To deceive, to lead astray
Meaning: I deceive, cheat, lead into error.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

deceive.

Of uncertain derivation; to cheat, i.e. Delude -- deceive.

HELPS Word-studies

538 apatáō (from 539 /apátē) – properly, deceive, using tactics like seduction, giving dis­torted impressions, etc. 538 /apatáō ("lure into deception") emphasizes the means to bring in error (delusion).

[This means of deception with 538 (apatáō) is often sensual (personal desires, pleasure; cf. A. Deissmann).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from apaté
Definition
to deceive
NASB Translation
deceive (1), deceived (1), deceives (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 538: ἀπατάω

ἀπατάω, ἀπάτω; 1 aorist passive ἠπατήθην; (ἀπάτη); from Homer down; to cheat, deceive, beguile: τήν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ (R T Tr WH marginal reading, αὑτοῦ G, ἑαυτοῦ L WH text), James 1:26; τινα τίνι, one with a thing, Ephesians 5:6; passive 1 Timothy 2:14 (where L T Tr WH ἐξαπατηθεῖσα), cf. Genesis 3:13. (Compare: ἐξαπατάω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root word ἀπάτη (apátē), meaning "deception" or "delusion."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀπατάω, the concept of deception is present in several Hebrew words, such as:

• H7411 רָמָה (ramah): To beguile, deceive.
• H5230 נָשָׁא (nasha): To deceive, lead astray.
• H3988 מָאַס (ma'as): To reject, despise, refuse (often implying a form of self-deception in rejecting truth).

These Hebrew terms capture similar themes of deception and misleading, reflecting the broader biblical narrative's concern with truth and integrity.

Usage: The verb ἀπατάω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of deceiving or misleading someone, often in a moral or spiritual context. It conveys the idea of causing someone to believe something that is not true, leading them away from the truth.

Context: The Greek verb ἀπατάω appears in several key passages in the New Testament, emphasizing the dangers and consequences of deception. It is often used in the context of moral and spiritual deception, warning believers to be vigilant against false teachings and deceitful practices.

• Ephesians 5:6 (BSB): "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience." Here, ἀπατάω is used to caution believers against being misled by hollow and deceptive words that contradict the truth of the Gospel. The verse underscores the seriousness of being led astray, as it results in divine judgment.

• 1 Corinthians 3:18 (BSB): "Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise." In this passage, ἀπατάω is used reflexively, warning individuals against self-deception. It highlights the danger of pride and the false wisdom of the world, urging believers to seek true wisdom from God.

• James 1:26 (BSB): "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." Here, the verb illustrates the self-deception that occurs when one's actions do not align with their professed beliefs. It serves as a reminder of the importance of genuine faith expressed through righteous conduct.

The use of ἀπατάω in these contexts serves as a warning to the early Christian communities to remain steadfast in their faith and to be discerning of teachings and behaviors that could lead them away from the truth. It emphasizes the importance of aligning one's life with the teachings of Christ and being wary of influences that could corrupt or mislead.

Forms and Transliterations

απατά απατατω απατάτω ἀπατάτω απατηθείσα απατηθής απατηθήσεται απατήσαί απατήσει απατήσεις απατήση απάτησον απατήσω απατων απατών ἀπατῶν ηπατηθη ηπατήθη ἠπατήθη ηπατήθην ηπάτησάν ηπάτησας ηπάτησάς ηπάτησε ηπάτησεν apatato apatatō apatáto apatátō apaton apatôn apatōn apatō̂n epatethe epatḗthe ēpatēthē ēpatḗthē

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 5:6 V-PMA-3S
GRK: Μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς ἀπατάτω κενοῖς λόγοις
NAS: Let no one deceive you with empty
KJV: Let no man deceive you with vain
INT: No one you let deceive with empty words

1 Timothy 2:14 V-AIP-3S
GRK: Ἀδὰμ οὐκ ἠπατήθη ἡ δὲ
NAS: And [it was] not Adam [who] was deceived, but the woman
KJV: was not deceived, but the woman
INT: Adam not was deceived but

James 1:26 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ ἀλλὰ ἀπατῶν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ
NAS: his tongue but deceives his [own] heart,
KJV: tongue, but deceiveth his own heart,
INT: of himself but deceiving [the] heart of himself

Strong's Greek 538
3 Occurrences

ἀπατάτω — 1 Occ.
ἀπατῶν — 1 Occ.
ἠπατήθη — 1 Occ.