λιθάζω

litházō /lith-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom λίθος
Meaningto lapidate
KJV usagestone.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word litházō, represented by G3034, is defined as to lapidate or stone. Derived from the word λίθος (stone), it appears 8 times in 8 unique verses. It specifically denotes the act of pelting someone with stones, a method of execution or mob punishment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3034 is used to describe severe acts of violence and persecution. The Jews attempted to stone Jesus, accusing him of blasphemy because he, being a man, made himself God John 10:33. After showing them many good works, Jesus directly asked for which of them they intended to stone him John 10:32. The Apostle Paul was also a victim of this act; after being stoned by a crowd in Iconium, he was dragged from the city and presumed dead Acts 14:19. The threat was so significant that officials feared the people and brought the apostles without violence, lest they should have been stoned Acts 5:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the act of stoning:

  • G3037 líthos: This word for a stone is the root of litházō. It is the physical object wielded by the crowd that took up stones to attack Jesus John 10:31.
  • G970 bía: Meaning force, this word is used in a context directly related to stoning. Officers chose to bring the apostles without violence specifically because they feared the people would stone them Acts 5:26.
  • G5399 phobéō: This word, meaning to frighten or to be alarmed, describes the officers' state of mind; they feared the people, which motivated them to avoid a confrontation that could lead to being stoned Acts 5:26.

Theological Significance

The use of G3034 carries significant weight, highlighting several key themes:

  • Persecution and Martyrdom: Stoning is listed as one of the brutal fates suffered by the faithful. It is mentioned alongside being sawn asunder and slain with the sword as a testimony of their suffering Hebrews 11:37. Paul recounts being stoned once as part of the list of hardships he endured for his ministry 2 Corinthians 11:25.
  • Accusation of Blasphemy: The desire to stone Jesus is explicitly linked to the charge of blasphemy John 10:33. This shows it as a prescribed or culturally accepted punishment for the most severe religious offenses.
  • Mob Violence: The act of stoning often appears as a form of spontaneous and violent mob justice, as seen when Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the people to stone Paul Acts 14:19.

Summary

In summary, G3034 is not a general term for killing but a highly specific word for lapidation. It consistently appears in contexts of extreme hostility, whether as a tool of mob violence, a response to perceived blasphemy, or a method of persecuting the righteous. Its usage underscores the physical dangers and violent opposition faced by Jesus and his followers.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Passive Infinitive 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 4 books. Most frequent in John (4 verses).

4
John
2
Acts
1
2 Corinthians
1
Hebrews

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