Word Study for G3817 (παίω) | Strong's Concordance

paíō /pah'-yo/ Ask about this word

Meaninga primary verb; to hit (as if by a single blow and less violently than τύπτω); specially, to sting (as a scorpion)

KJV usagesmite, strike.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of paíō — 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 paíō, represented by G3817, is a primary verb meaning to hit or smite, typically with a single blow. Its definition distinguishes it as being less violent than other similar terms and includes the special application of a scorpion's sting. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3817 is used to describe acts of sudden violence. During the trial of Jesus, He is blindfolded and taunted by His captors who ask Him to prophesy who it was that smote Him (Matthew 26:68; Luke 22:64). The term is also used for the disciple's action in the garden, who smote the high priest's servant with a sword and cut off his ear (Mark 14:47; John 18:10). In a different context, the book of Revelation uses G3817 to characterize the torment inflicted by symbolic locusts, which is like the pain caused when a scorpion striketh a man Revelation 9:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the specific meaning and context of G3817:

G5180 týptō (to "thump", i.e. cudgel or pummel...by repeated blows): The definition of paíō contrasts it with týptō, which implies a more violent or repeated beating. In Luke 22:64, captors struck (týptō) Jesus before asking who it was that smote (paíō) Him.
G851 aphairéō (to remove...cut (smite) off, take away): This word shows the consequence of being smote. In Mark 14:47, a bystander smote the high priest's servant, an act which cut off his ear.
G4395 prophēteúō (to...prophesy): This provides the context for the blow against Jesus. He is smote and then immediately commanded to prophesy who the assailant was Matthew 26:68.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3817 is seen in the contexts where it appears:

Hostility Against the Messiah: The use of G3817 in the accounts of Jesus's trial highlights the physical rejection and mockery He faced. The act of being smote is paired with a demand to prophesy, showing contempt for His divine identity Matthew 26:68.
Misguided Human Action: The word describes Peter's violent act of striking the high priest's servant John 18:10. This instance of being smote represents a carnal, human response in a moment that called for submission to a divine plan.
Supernatural Infliction: In Revelation, G3817 moves from a human act to a supernatural one. The torment from the locusts is compared to the pain when a scorpion striketh a man, illustrating a form of divine judgment or torment Revelation 9:5.

Summary

In summary, G3817 paíō denotes a specific type of impact: a single, deliberate blow or sting. Though appearing only five times, it is used in pivotal moments. It marks the physical mockery of Christ during His passion Luke 22:64, the rash violence of a disciple in the garden John 18:10, and the supernatural torment of divine judgment in Revelation Revelation 9:5. The word effectively conveys an instant of pointed, personal aggression, whether from a human hand or a scorpion's sting.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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

Appears in 5 verses across 5 of the 27 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 22.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Revelation

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, 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.