ῥύομαι

rhýomai /rhoo'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
Meaningmiddle voice of an obsolete verb, akin to ῥέω (through the idea of a current; compare ῥύσις); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue
KJV usagedeliver(-er).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word rhýomai, represented by G4506, means to rescue or deliver. It appears 19 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its base definition, derived from the idea of a current, suggests a forceful action of rushing to draw someone to safety, highlighting a proactive and personal rescue.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4506 is used to describe God's intervention in various circumstances. It is a central plea in the Lord's Prayer, asking God to "deliver us from evil" Matthew 6:13. The term describes a profound spiritual rescue, as seen in the statement that God has "delivered us from the power of darkness" Colossians 1:13. It also applies to physical and circumstantial peril, as when Paul recounts that "out of them all the Lord delivered me" from persecutions 2 Timothy 3:11 and that he "was delivered out of the mouth of the lion" 2 Timothy 4:17. In a prophetic context, it identifies Christ as the "Deliverer" who would come from Sion Romans 11:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the scope of divine deliverance:

  • G4982 sṓzō (to save, i.e. deliver or protect): This term often appears alongside G4506, highlighting a comprehensive act of salvation. For example, the Lord will deliver Paul from evil and preserve him for His heavenly kingdom 2 Timothy 4:18.
  • G3179 methístēmi (to transfer, i.e. carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce): This shows that deliverance is not just a rescue from something, but a relocation to somewhere else. Believers are delivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's Son Colossians 1:13.
  • G1743 endynamóō (to empower): This word connects God's deliverance with His enabling power. Paul states that the Lord stood with him and strengthened him, which led to his being delivered from the lion's mouth 2 Timothy 4:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4506 is significant, revealing key aspects of God's relationship with humanity.

  • A Continuous Divine Action: Deliverance is not a one-time event. God is presented as the one "Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us" 2 Corinthians 1:10. This establishes a pattern of past, present, and future rescue.
  • Rescue from Specific Perils: The term is used to describe rescue from a range of threats, including spiritual bondage ("the power of darkness" in Colossians 1:13), personal trials ("temptations" in 2 Peter 2:9), mortal danger ("the mouth of the lion" in 2 Timothy 4:17), and the internal struggle with sin ("the body of this death" in Romans 7:24).
  • The Foundation of Hope and Service: Being delivered from enemies enables believers to "serve him without fear" Luke 1:74. This act of rescue is the basis for confident trust that God knows how to deliver the godly 2 Peter 2:9 and will deliver His people from every evil work 2 Timothy 4:18.

Summary

In summary, G4506 defines more than a simple escape. It portrays an active and powerful divine rescue, a drawing away from imminent peril. From deliverance from the "power of darkness" Colossians 1:13 to the plea for rescue from "evil" Matthew 6:13, the word frames God as the ultimate Deliverer. It establishes a foundation for the believer's security, trust, and service, rooted in the certainty that God is both willing and able to rescue His people.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 18 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Aorist Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
  • Future Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Infinitive 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object 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.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Passive Deponent
Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
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 16 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Romans (3 verses).

2
Matthew
2
Luke
3
Romans
1
2 Corinthians
1
Colossians
1
1 Thessalonians
1
2 Thessalonians
3
2 Timothy
2
2 Peter

Verse Explorer

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