Word Study for G1620 (ἐκτίθημι)

ektíthēmi /ek-tith'-ay-mee/ Ask about this word

Meaningto expose; figuratively, to declare

KJV usagecast out, expound.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ektíthēmi — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ektíthēmi, represented by G1620, is defined as "to expose; figuratively, to declare." It is derived from ἐκ and τίθημι. Occurring just 4 times in 4 verses, this term carries two distinct applications in scripture: the literal act of being "cast out" and the figurative act to "expound" or explain in detail.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its usage, G1620 illustrates a contrast between physical abandonment and spiritual instruction. The literal sense is found in the account of Moses, where it states, "when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up" Acts 7:21. The figurative meaning is used three times to describe the act of explaining spiritual matters. Peter "rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order" to the brethren Acts 11:4. Similarly, Aquila and Priscilla "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" Acts 18:26. Paul also expounded and testified about the kingdom of God to the Jews in Rome Acts 28:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G1620 is used:

G337 anairéō (to take up... kill, slay, take away, take up): This word appears in direct contrast to G1620 in the story of Moses, where after being "cast out," Pharaoh's daughter "took him up" Acts 7:21, signifying a rescue from exposure.
G197 akribésteron (more exactly... more perfect(-ly)): This adverb modifies the action of expounding in Acts 18:26, showing that Aquila and Priscilla clarified the way of God for Apollos with greater precision.
G1263 diamartýromai (to attest or protest earnestly... testify): Paired with G1620 in Acts 28:23, it emphasizes that Paul's expounding was also a form of earnest testimony about the kingdom of God.
G2517 kathexēs (consecutively... by (in) order): This highlights the systematic nature of Peter's explanation, as he "expounded it by order" Acts 11:4, relating events sequentially.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1620 is seen in its dual application of revealing something.

Exposure and Salvation: The story of Moses being "cast out" Acts 7:21 presents a theme of vulnerability and abandonment that leads directly to divine deliverance and a new identity, a pattern seen throughout scripture.
Clarification of Truth: The act to "expound" is vital for the growth of the early church. It is used to carefully and systematically explain the details of the gospel, correct misunderstandings, and persuade hearers, as when Paul "expounded and testified the kingdom of God" Acts 28:23.
Orderly Revelation: The use of G1620 in contexts of explaining "by order" Acts 11:4 and "more perfectly" Acts 18:26 underscores the importance of a clear, structured, and accurate declaration of God's ways.

Summary

In summary, G1620 is a term that encompasses both physical and intellectual exposure. It can describe the literal act of being "cast out" or the detailed work of "expounding" complex truths. Whether depicting a moment of peril that leads to rescue or a careful explanation that leads to deeper faith, ektíthēmi illustrates the biblical principle of bringing things out into the open for a redemptive or clarifying purpose.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

ἐξετίθετο
ἐξέθεντο
ἐκτεθέντος

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

4 verses, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.