971. biazó

Lexicon

biazó: to force, to seize, to press

Original Word: βιάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: biazó
Pronunciation: bee-AD-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (bee-ad'-zo)
Definition: to force, to seize, to press
Meaning: (a) mid: I use force, force my way, come forward violently, (b) pass: I am forcibly treated, suffer violence.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

press, suffer violence.

From bios; to force, i.e. (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into), or (passively) to be seized -- press, suffer violence.

see GREEK bios

HELPS Word-studies

971 biázō – properly, to use power to forcibly seize, laying hold of something with positive aggressiveness. 971 /biázō ("to advance forcefully") is only used twice in the NT (both times positively).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from bia
Definition
to force
NASB Translation
forcing his way (1), suffers violence (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 971: βιάζω

βιάζω: (βία); to use force, to apply force; τινα, to force, inflict violence on, one; the active is very rare and almost exclusively poetic (from Homer down); passive (Buttmann, 53 (46)) in Matthew 11:12 ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ οὐρανοῦ βιάζεται, the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence, carried by storm, i. e. a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with the most ardent zeal and the intensest exertion; cf. Xenophon, Hell. 5, 2, 15 (23) πόλεις τάς βεβιασμενας; (but see Weiss, James Morison, Norton, in the place cited). The other explanation: the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence namely, from its enemies, agrees neither with the time when Christ spoke the words, nor with the context; cf. Fritzsche, DeWette, Meyer, at the passage, middle, βιάζομαι followed by εἰς τί to force one's way into a thing, (ἐς τήν Ποτιδαιαν, Thucydides 1, 63; ἐς τό ἔξω, 7, 69; εἰς τήν παρεμβολήν, Polybius 1, 74, 5; εἰς τά ἐντός, Philo, vit. Moys. i., § 19; εἰς τό στρατόπεδον, Plutarch, Otho 12, etc.): εἰς τήν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, to get a share in the kingdom of God by the utmost earnestness and effort, Luke 16:16. (Compare: παραβιάζομαι.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from βία (bía), meaning "force" or "violence."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for βιάζω, similar concepts of force or compulsion can be found in Hebrew words such as:

• H2388 חָזַק (chazaq): To be strong, to strengthen, to take hold of.
• H6555 פָּרַץ (parats): To break through, to burst forth, to increase.

These Hebrew terms capture aspects of strength and force that resonate with the Greek concept of βιάζω, reflecting the dynamic and sometimes forceful nature of spiritual and physical endeavors in the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb βιάζω appears in the New Testament in contexts where force or compulsion is applied, either physically or metaphorically. It is used to describe actions that involve pressing or urging with intensity.

Context: The Greek verb βιάζω is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of forceful action or compulsion. It appears in two key passages:

• Matthew 11:12 (BSB): "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it." In this context, βιάζω is used to describe the forceful advance of the kingdom of heaven. The verse suggests a sense of urgency and determination among those who seek to enter the kingdom, highlighting the intensity of their pursuit.

• Luke 16:16 (BSB): "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it." Here, βιάζω is used metaphorically to describe the eagerness and determination of individuals to enter the kingdom of God. The passage emphasizes the transformative period initiated by John the Baptist, where the message of the kingdom is met with fervent response.

In both instances, βιάζω conveys a sense of vigorous effort and determination, whether in the pursuit of spiritual goals or in the broader context of the kingdom's advancement. The term underscores the active and sometimes contentious nature of spiritual engagement, reflecting the challenges and fervor associated with the pursuit of divine truth.

Forms and Transliterations

βιαζεται βιάζεται βιάζη βιασάμενος βιάση βιασώμεθα εβιάσατο biazetai biázetai

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:12 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καὶ βιασταὶ
NAS: of heaven suffers violence, and violent men
KJV: of heaven suffereth violence, and
INT: of the heavens is taken by violence and [the] violent

Luke 16:16 V-PIM-3S
GRK: εἰς αὐτὴν βιάζεται
NAS: and everyone is forcing his way into it.
KJV: and every man presseth into it.
INT: into it forces

Strong's Greek 971
2 Occurrences

βιάζεται — 2 Occ.