from ἐκ and ὁρκίζω; to exact an oath, i.e. conjure:--adjure.
Transliteration:exorkízō
Pronunciation:ex-or-kid'-zo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, `{{G1844}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, `{{G1537}}`), meaning "out from" or "from," and the verb ὁρκίζω (horkízō, `{{G3726}}`), meaning "to put under oath" or "to adjure." The combined meaning therefore signifies "to exact an oath from," "to bind by oath," or "to charge solemnly and stringently." While the root ὁρκίζω itself implies a serious command under oath, the prefix ἐκ intensifies this action, suggesting a compelling or forceful adjuration. It is not primarily about "exorcism" in the modern sense of casting out demons, but rather about compelling a person or entity to act or speak by means of a solemn, binding oath, often invoking a divine authority. The core semantic range thus centers on authoritative compulsion through an oath.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἐξορκίζω appears only twice in the New Testament, each instance providing crucial insight into its usage:
1. **[[Matthew 26:63]]**: "But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, 'I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'"
* In this pivotal moment during Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, the high priest Caiaphas uses exorkízō to compel Jesus to respond. By adjuring Jesus "by the living God," Caiaphas invokes the highest possible authority, placing Jesus under a solemn oath that demanded a truthful answer in the sight of God. This was a legal and religious maneuver designed to force Jesus to either confess to blasphemy or deny his claim, both of which carried severe consequences. Jesus' subsequent affirmative response, "You have said so," [[Matthew 26:64]], underscores the gravity of the adjuration and his submission to the divine authority invoked by the oath, even from his accuser.
2. **[[Acts 19:13]]**: "Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, 'I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.'"
* Here, the context shifts to spiritual confrontation. The "exorcists" (who are not identified as followers of Christ) attempt to replicate the power they observed in Paul's ministry. They use exorkízō to command evil spirits, attempting to bind them by invoking the name of Jesus. This usage highlights the belief that spiritual entities can be compelled or bound by an authoritative adjuration. However, their lack of genuine relationship with Jesus meant their adjuration lacked true spiritual authority, leading to their humiliating defeat by the evil spirit, [[Acts 19:14-16]]. This passage powerfully contrasts the mere *invocation* of a name with the *true authority* that comes from a genuine relationship with Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several terms and concepts are closely related to exorkízō:
* ὁρκίζω (horkízō, `{{G3726}}`): The root verb, meaning "to put under oath, to adjure, to charge solemnly." This is the most direct linguistic relation.
* ὅρκος (horkos, `{{G3727}}`): The noun form, meaning "an oath." This word defines the very essence of what exorkízō involves.
* ὀμνύω (omnȳō, `{{G3660}}`): "To swear, to take an oath." This verb describes the act of swearing an oath, which is distinct from exorkízō which describes the act of putting someone under an oath.
* ἐκβάλλω (ekballō, `{{G1544}}`): "To cast out, drive out." While exorkízō does not mean "to cast out," the context of [[Acts 19:13]] links it to the practice of dealing with evil spirits, where the goal is often to "cast them out." The "exorcists" were attempting to compel the spirits to leave through adjuration.
* The concept of "binding and loosing" (cf. δέω `{{G1210}}` and λύω `{{G3089}}` in [[Matthew 16:19]], [[Matthew 18:18]]) also shares a conceptual link, as it refers to authoritative declarations that have a compelling or releasing effect, though it is not specifically tied to an oath.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐξορκίζω is profound, touching upon divine authority, truth, and spiritual power:
* **Divine Authority and Compulsion**: The use of exorkízō inherently points to a higher authority. When a person is adjured "by the living God," it elevates the command to a divine level, implying that failure to comply or speak truthfully would be an offense against God Himself. This underscores the seriousness with which oaths, especially those invoking God, were to be regarded in biblical thought.
* **The Pursuit of Truth**: In the trial of Jesus, the high priest's adjuration was an attempt to extract truth under the most solemn conditions. Jesus' response, though concise, confirmed his identity under this divine oath, highlighting his unwavering commitment to truth even in the face of condemnation.
* **Spiritual Warfare and True Authority**: The incident in [[Acts 19:13]] provides a crucial theological lesson on spiritual authority. It reveals that while evil spirits can be compelled, such compulsion requires genuine divine authority, not merely the mechanical invocation of a name. The Jewish exorcists' failure demonstrates that true power in spiritual warfare flows from a living relationship with Christ and the authority He bestows, not from an imitative ritual. It distinguishes between a mere magical incantation and the authoritative command of faith.
* **Reverence for God's Name**: The very act of adjuring "by the living God" or "by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims" emphasizes the sanctity and power inherent in the divine name. It speaks to a deep-seated belief that invoking the name of God or Christ carries immense weight and demands respect and response from both human and spiritual realms.
### Summary
ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, `{{G1844}}`) is a Greek verb meaning "to adjure," "to put under oath," or "to charge solemnly and stringently." Its two occurrences in the New Testament provide distinct yet complementary insights: in [[Matthew 26:63]], it signifies a legal and religious compulsion to speak truth under divine oath, exemplified by Caiaphas's adjuration of Jesus. In [[Acts 19:13]], it describes an attempt by itinerant Jewish exorcists to command evil spirits by invoking the name of Jesus, highlighting the concept of compelling spiritual entities. The word underscores the profound authority inherent in solemn oaths that invoke God, the critical importance of truth, and the necessity of genuine divine authority in spiritual confrontation. It is not primarily "to cast out" but rather "to bind by oath" or "to compel by solemn charge," which, in spiritual contexts, can lead to the expulsion of malevolent forces, but only when wielded by true divine power.
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