Word Study for G3822 (παλαιόω)

palaióō /pal-ah-yo'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom παλαιός

Meaningto make (passively, become) worn out, or declare obsolete

KJV usagedecay, make (wax) old.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of palaióō — 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 palaióō, represented by G3822, means to make or become worn out, or to declare something obsolete. Based on the term παλαιός, it is used to describe the process of decay or making something old. It appears 6 times across 3 unique verses, highlighting its specific application in scripture.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G3822 illustrates the contrast between the temporary and the eternal. In Hebrews, it is used to describe creation, which "shall wax old as doth a garment" Hebrews 1:11, contrasting the finite nature of the physical world with the unchanging nature of God. The term is also used theologically to declare the first covenant "old" Hebrews 8:13 with the establishment of a new one. In a more practical sense, it describes earthly possessions, such as "bags which wax not old" Luke 12:33, contrasting them with the permanent "treasure" G2344 found in the heavens G3772.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G3822:

G1095 gēráskō (to be senescent:--be (wax) old): This word is used alongside G3822 in Hebrews 8:13 to emphasize the aging process of the first covenant, which "decayeth and waxeth old."
G1265 diaménō (to stay constantly...:--continue, remain): This term serves as a direct antonym in Hebrews 1:11, where creation will "wax old" G3822 while God "remainest" G1265, highlighting divine permanence.
G854 aphanismós (disappearance, i.e. (by implication) abrogation:--vanish away): This word describes the ultimate result for that which has been made old. In Hebrews 8:13, the covenant that "decayeth" G3822 is described as "ready to vanish away."

Theological Significance

The theological concepts associated with G3822 are significant, particularly in contrasting the old with the new.

Transience of Creation: The word establishes that the physical universe is temporary and subject to wearing out, much like a garment that becomes old over time Hebrews 1:11.
Obsolescence of the Old Covenant: G3822 is used to formally declare the first covenant obsolete. By calling the covenant "new" G2537, God "hath made the first old" Hebrews 8:13, indicating its supersession.
Permanence of Heavenly Treasure: The concept of things not waxing old is applied to heavenly rewards. Unlike earthly possessions that decay, the "treasure in the heavens" Luke 12:33 is permanent and incorruptible.

Summary

In summary, G3822 moves beyond a simple definition of aging. It is a key term used to articulate a fundamental biblical principle: the fading of the physical and provisional in light of the eternal and spiritual. Whether applied to the created world, material wealth, or the first covenant, palaióō consistently points to that which is temporary and destined to be replaced by something permanent and new.

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 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Perfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Participle Accusative Plural Neuter 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

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 3 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Hebrews (2 verses); never once in the other 25.

Luke

Hebrews

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.