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ὀλοθρεύω (olothreuō)

olothreuō

to destroy

G3645 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb olothreuō carries the heavy meaning of total destruction or causing something to perish completely. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only once in Hebrews 11:28. In this context, it describes the severe judgment that fell upon Egypt, which Moses feared would compel him to leave his position in Pharaoh’s court.

Its root lies in the noun olethros, which denotes ruin or destruction. The term appears in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew words like chathath, emphasizing a decisive and final end rather than simple damage. Translators typically render it as "destroy," capturing the absolute nature of the threat Moses faced.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word olothreuō appears only once in the New Testament, found within the great chapter on faith in Hebrews 11:28. It describes a total and final destruction that threatened the firstborn sons of Egypt. Moses chose to act in faith by keeping the Passover, trusting that the blood would protect his people from this complete ruin.

This single occurrence reminds us that God’s protection is real and powerful. When we face situations that feel overwhelming or beyond our control, we can look to Moses’ example. He did not rely on his own strength but stepped out in obedience, believing that God could shield His people from harm.

For your faith today, this word offers comfort. It shows that even when danger seems absolute, trusting in God’s provision brings safety. The Passover blood was a sign of hope, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who saves us from spiritual destruction forever.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • destroying1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ὀλοθρεύων1×

Key Verses

  • Hebrews 11:28
    By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

    This verse uses the word to describe the 'destroyer' that was held back by the Passover blood, highlighting God's power to prevent total ruin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does olothreuō mean in the Bible?

It means to cause total destruction or ruin. The word appears only once in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:28, where it refers to the destroyer of the firstborn in Egypt. It conveys a sense of finality and complete loss rather than minor damage.

Why is this word significant in Hebrews 11?

It highlights the severity of the threat Moses faced and the magnitude of God’s deliverance. By using such a strong term for destruction, the author emphasizes how much greater the faith required was to trust God’s protection against such a deadly judgment.

How is this word different from other words for destroy?

While Greek has several words for destroying, olothreuō is rare and specific. It appears in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew terms emphasizing decisive ruin. Its single New Testament use ties it closely to the historical event of the Passover.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Hebrews 1 verse
Hebrews 11:28

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch…