μετοικίζω (metoikizō)
metoikizō
to deport
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb metoikizō describes the forced removal of people from their homeland to settle in a new territory. It carries the heavy weight of deportation rather than voluntary migration, reflecting the experience of exile under imperial power. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both within Stephen’s speech in Acts 7.
Stephen uses it to recount Israel’s history, noting how God allowed their ancestors to be deported from Egypt and later into Babylon. The term highlights a shift in residence imposed by external forces, serving as a historical marker for periods when God’s people lived outside the promised land. Translators typically render it as "deport" or "remove," capturing the loss of home and autonomy inherent in the action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word metoikizō describes a forced removal from one’s homeland, carrying the heavy weight of deportation rather than voluntary migration. In Acts 7, Stephen uses this term to recount Israel’s history, noting how God allowed their ancestors to be deported from Egypt and later into Babylon. This shift in residence was imposed by external forces, serving as a historical marker for periods when God’s people lived outside the promised land.
For your faith, this reminds us that our true citizenship is not bound to any earthly territory. Even when circumstances force us away from home, God remains present. The hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal dwelling with Christ offer a secure anchor that no imperial power can dismantle.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I will remove1×
- He removed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μετῴκισεν1×
- μετοικιῶ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:4
Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land where you are now living.
This verse uses the word to describe God moving Abraham from Haran, showing divine guidance in relocation rather than just human exile.
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Acts 7:43
You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship, so I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’
Here the term marks a judgment of deportation beyond Babylon due to idolatry, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God.