ἐμπρήθω (emprēthō)
emprēthō
to burn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb emprēthō describes the act of setting something on fire or suffering inflammation. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Matthew 22:7, where Jesus tells a parable about a king whose servants are killed and his city burned by enemies. Here, the word conveys total destruction by flame, reflecting the severity of the judgment described in the story.
Its etymology combines a prefix indicating inwardness or intensity with a root meaning to blow a flame. This construction emphasizes the active force of fire rather than just the state of burning. The sources note that the Septuagint often uses this Greek term to translate the Hebrew word for burning, linking it to themes of divine judgment and purification found in the Old Testament.
While the word can also mean to become inflamed in a physical sense, as seen in Acts 28:6 regarding a viper’s bite, its primary biblical usage is dramatic and catastrophic. It serves as a vivid image of irreversible loss, reminding readers of the consequences of rejecting the king’s invitation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word emprēthō describes a fire that consumes completely, leaving nothing behind. In Matthew 22:7, it paints a stark picture of what happens when we reject the King’s invitation. This is not a small mistake or a minor oversight; it is a total loss. The image reminds us that our choices have real weight and eternal significance.
Yet this warning does not stand alone. It sits within a larger story about grace. The king sends armies to punish the murderers, but he also continues to invite everyone else to the feast. The fire shows the seriousness of refusing love, while the ongoing invitation shows the depth of His patience. We are called to respond with gratitude, not fear.
When we feel distant from God, remember that His door remains open. The same King who judges sin also welcomes the broken and the lost. Let this truth draw you closer to Him today, trusting in His mercy rather than your own perfection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he burned.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνέπρησεν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 22:7
When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
This verse uses emprēthō to describe the total destruction of a city that rejected the king's messengers, highlighting the severe consequences of refusing divine grace.