English · KJV
G4097

πιπράσκω

pipráskō /prah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootcontracted from περάω (to traverse; from the base of πέραν)
Meaningto traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagesell.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pipráskō — 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 pipráskō, represented by G4097, means to traffic or dispose of something as merchandise or into slavery. It is most commonly translated as to sell. The word appears 10 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible, conveying both literal and figurative transactions. Its base definition points to the act of trafficking by travelling, highlighting the commercial nature of the term.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4097 is used to describe the selling of various items and even people. In the early church, believers sold their possessions and goods to care for those in need Acts 2:45. The term is also used in a parable where a lord commands a servant, his wife G1135, and children G5043 to be sold to make payment on a debt Matthew 18:25. Critically, the word takes on a figurative meaning when Paul describes his internal struggle, stating he is carnal G4559, sold under sin Romans 7:14, illustrating a state of bondage.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of selling and transactions:

  • G4453 pōléō (sell): A close synonym also meaning to sell, often used when commanding someone to dispose of their possessions for a higher purpose, such as when Jesus tells the rich young man to sell all he has Matthew 19:21. It appears alongside G4097 in describing how the early church sold lands and houses Acts 4:34.
  • G59 agorázō (buy, redeem): As the counterpart to selling, this word means to purchase or buy. In the parable of the pearl of great price, a merchant sold G4097 all he had in order to buy G59 the one pearl Matthew 13:46.
  • G591 apodídōmi (repay, render, sell): This word is connected to the concept of making a payment or restoring what is due. In the parable of the indebted servant, the command to be sold G4097 was so that "payment to be made" G591 could occur Matthew 18:25.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4097 is significant, highlighting themes of value, sacrifice, and bondage.

  • Radical Generosity: The act of selling possessions by the early church demonstrates a community prioritizing people over property, ensuring that no one was lacking G1729 among them (Acts 2:45, Acts 4:34). This sets a high standard for Christian charity.
  • The Supreme Value of the Kingdom: In the parable of the pearl of great price, a man sold everything he had for a single pearl G3135, illustrating that the Kingdom of Heaven is worth more than all worldly possessions combined Matthew 13:46.
  • Bondage to Sin: Paul's statement that he is "sold under sin" Romans 7:14 provides a powerful metaphor for humanity's fallen condition. It portrays sin as a master that has purchased and now owns the carnal self, making one a slave to its power, in contrast to the law G3551 which is spiritual.

Summary

In summary, G4097 moves beyond a simple commercial transaction. While it describes the literal selling of goods like ointment G3464 and the tragic selling of people into servitude, its most profound use is figurative. The word serves as a powerful illustration of core spiritual truths, contrasting the fleeting value of earthly goods with the eternal worth of the kingdom and framing the human struggle as a form of being sold into bondage to sin.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • πραθῆναι
  • ἐπράθη
  • πραθὲν
  • ἐπίπρασκον
  • πέπρακεν
  • πεπραμένος
  • πιπρασκομένων

Related Words

Related

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.

G1135 γυνή a woman G5043 τέκνον a child (as produced) G4559 σαρκικός pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate G4453 πωλέω to barter (as a pedlar), i.e. to sell G59 ἀγοράζω properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase G591 ἀποδίδωμι to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

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 9 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew and Acts (3 verses each); never once in the other 22.

3
Matthew
1
Mark
1
John
3
Acts
1
Romans

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, by grammatical form, 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.