from ἔθος; to accustom, i.e. (neuter passive participle) customary:--custom.
Transliteration:ethízō
Pronunciation:eth-id'-zo
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The core meaning of ἐθίζω (ethízō, `{{G1480}}`) is "to accustom" or "to make customary." It derives from ἔθος (ethos, `{{G1485}}`), meaning "custom, habit, usage." Thus, ἐθίζω describes the process by which something becomes a regular practice or an established tradition. When used as a passive participle, as it is in its sole New Testament occurrence, it signifies "that which is customary" or "as was the custom." The semantic range is narrow, primarily focusing on established practices and traditions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek verb ἐθίζω (ethízō, `{{G1480}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Luke 2:27]]. The context is the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem:
"And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do concerning Him according to the custom of the Law..."
Here, the phrase is τοῦ πεποιηκέναι αὐτοὺς κατὰ τὸ εἰθισμένον τοῦ νόμου which literally translates to "to do concerning Him according to the having been accustomed of the Law." The neuter perfect passive participle εἰθισμένον (eithismenon) functions substantively, meaning "that which was customary" or "the custom." It refers to the Mosaic Law's requirements for the purification of a mother after childbirth and the dedication of the firstborn male child (cf. [[Leviticus 12:2-8]], [[Exodus 13:2]], [[Numbers 18:15-16]]). This single occurrence highlights the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph to the established religious traditions and legal requirements of their faith, even concerning the Son of God. It underscores the embeddedness of Jesus' early life within the observant Jewish community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is ἔθος (ethos, `{{G1485}}`), from which ἐθίζω (ethízō, `{{G1480}}`) is derived. ἔθος frequently appears in the New Testament to denote "custom," "habit," or "tradition," both positive (e.g., [[Luke 1:9]], [[Acts 6:14]]) and negative (e.g., [[Acts 15:1]], [[Acts 21:21]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Tradition (παράδοσις, paradosis, `{{G3862}}`):** While ἔθος refers to an established custom, παράδοσις often emphasizes something "handed down" from one generation to the next, whether divine (e.g., [[2 Thessalonians 2:15]]) or human (e.g., [[Mark 7:8]]). In the context of [[Luke 2:27]], the "custom of the Law" is a divine tradition.
* **Law (νόμος, nomos, `{{G3551}}`):** The "custom of the Law" explicitly links ἐθίζω to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing adherence to its precepts.
* **Ordinance/Statute (δικαίωμα, dikaioma, `{{G1345}}` or πρόσταγμα, prostagma, `{{G4367}}`):** These terms denote specific legal requirements or decrees, which, when regularly observed, become customs.
The singular use of ἐθίζω points to a specific, well-established practice within a religious framework, rather than a general habit.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ἐθίζω (ethízō, `{{G1480}}`) in [[Luke 2:27]] carries significant theological weight despite its infrequency. It demonstrates that Jesus, though divine, was born into and subject to the human condition and the established religious customs of His time. This act of "doing according to the custom of the Law" highlights several key theological points:
1. **Jesus' Humanity and Incarnation:** It underscores the reality of Jesus' human birth and His integration into a specific cultural and religious context. He was not an ethereal spirit but a tangible human being, born of a woman, subject to the Law.
2. **Obedience to the Law:** Mary and Joseph's adherence to the custom foreshadows Jesus' own perfect obedience to the Law throughout His life. He came "not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them" ([[Matthew 5:17]]). This early act of compliance sets a precedent for His life of perfect righteousness, which is crucial for His atoning work.
3. **Continuity with Old Testament Revelation:** The observance of the Law's custom connects the birth of the Messiah directly to the covenant and commandments given to Israel. It shows that God's plan of salvation unfolds within the historical framework of His chosen people and their divinely ordained practices.
4. **Divine Providence:** The fact that the Holy Family faithfully observed these customs, even for the Son of God, speaks to God's providential care and His use of human customs and traditions to achieve His redemptive purposes. The customary act became a stage for divine revelation (e.g., the encounters with Simeon and Anna immediately following).
Thus, ἐθίζω, though a simple word for "customary," points to profound truths about the person of Christ and the nature of God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐθίζω (ethízō, `{{G1480}}`) means "to accustom" or, in its single New Testament occurrence, "customary." Derived from ἔθος (ethos, `{{G1485}}`), "custom," it denotes an established practice or tradition. Its sole appearance in [[Luke 2:27]] describes Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple "to do concerning Him according to the custom of the Law." This seemingly simple detail carries significant theological implications, emphasizing Jesus' full humanity and His obedience to the Mosaic Law, thereby establishing continuity with Old Testament revelation and foreshadowing His life of perfect righteousness. The word highlights the integration of divine truth within human custom, showcasing God's providential working through established practices.
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