from ἐν and (to blow a flame); to enkindle, i.e. set on fire:--burn up.
Transliteration:emprḗthō
Pronunciation:em-pray'-tho
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐμπρήθω (G1714) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐν (in, into) and a root related to "blowing a flame" or "kindling." Its core meaning is "to enkindle," "to set on fire," or more emphatically, "to burn up." The prefix ἐν- can intensify the action, suggesting a thorough or complete burning. The semantic range points to an active, often destructive, act of combustion, implying consumption by fire rather than merely lighting. It conveys the idea of a comprehensive incineration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἐμπρήθω (G1714) occurs only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew:
* [[Matthew 22:7]]: "But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and *burned up* their city."
This verse is part of the Parable of the Wedding Feast, where a king prepares a feast for his son's wedding. Those invited scorn the invitation, and some even kill the king's servants. In response, the king sends his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. Here, ἐμπρήθω is used to describe a severe, punitive act of destruction. The burning of the city is not accidental but a deliberate act of judgment, demonstrating the king's wrath and the dire consequences for those who reject his gracious invitation and mistreat his messengers. The context is one of divine retribution, as the king in the parable represents God.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share a semantic field with ἐμπρήθω (G1714) regarding fire and burning, often with nuances of intensity or purpose:
* πῦρ (pyr, `{{G4442}}`): The general noun for "fire."
* καίω (kaio, `{{G2545}}`): "To burn," "to set on fire," or "to be on fire." It can refer to both constructive (e.g., a lamp burning) and destructive burning.
* φλογίζω (phlogizo, `{{G5395}}`): "To set on fire," "to inflame," often emphasizing the flame itself.
* κατακαίω (katakaio, `{{G2618}}`): "To burn down," "to burn up completely." This word is very close in meaning to ἐμπρήθω, often implying total destruction by fire, with the prefix κατα- intensifying the action to completion.
The concept evoked by ἐμπρήθω is closely tied to:
* Divine judgment and wrath.
* Consequences of rebellion and rejection.
* Complete destruction as a form of punishment.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ἐμπρήθω (G1714) in [[Matthew 22:7]] carries profound theological weight within the context of the Parable of the Wedding Feast.
1. **Divine Judgment:** The king's action of burning the city symbolizes God's righteous judgment. The parable, spoken by Jesus, serves as a warning against rejecting God's gracious invitation (the Gospel) and mistreating His messengers (prophets and apostles). The "burning up" signifies a comprehensive and devastating divine retribution for such insolence and rebellion.
2. **Consequences of Rejection:** The severity of the punishment highlights the gravity of spurning God's grace. It underscores that while God is loving and merciful, He is also just and will hold accountable those who willfully oppose His will and harm His servants. The finality implied by "burn up" suggests an irreversible outcome.
3. **Prophetic Foreshadowing:** Many scholars interpret the burning of the city in the parable as a prophetic allusion to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the Roman armies. This historical event, occurring decades after Jesus spoke the parable, was seen by early Christians as God's judgment upon the city for its rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and its persecution of His followers. Thus, ἐμπρήθω takes on a literal fulfillment in history, demonstrating the tangible consequences of spiritual rebellion.
4. **Eschatological Implications:** Beyond historical fulfillment, the imagery of a city being "burned up" also points to ultimate eschatological judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of the future judgment awaiting those who persist in unbelief and opposition to God.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐμπρήθω (G1714), meaning "to enkindle" or "to burn up," appears uniquely in [[Matthew 22:7]]. Within the Parable of the Wedding Feast, it describes the king's decisive act of sending his armies to destroy and "burn up" the city of those who scorned his invitation and murdered his servants. This singular usage powerfully conveys the concept of severe, punitive judgment. Theologically, ἐμπρήθω underscores the gravity of rejecting God's gracious call and persecuting His messengers, serving as a vivid symbol of divine wrath and the comprehensive, often irreversible, consequences of rebellion. It holds both historical prophetic significance, pointing to the destruction of Jerusalem, and broader eschatological implications regarding final judgment.
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