παίζω (paizō)
paizō
to play
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb paizō describes the act of playing, specifically with the lively energy associated with childhood. Its root lies in the word for "child" (pais), grounding its meaning in the natural, unselfconscious behavior of young people. While it can simply mean to sport or jest, the sources highlight a specific cultural context where this play involves singing and dancing together.
This rich sense of communal celebration appears most notably in 1 Corinthians 10:7. Paul quotes the Septuagint’s description of Israel’s idolatry at Sinai, using paizō to capture the raucous partying that accompanied their worship of the golden calf. Here, the word conveys more than simple amusement; it points to a festive, perhaps reckless, indulgence in physical joy and social bonding.
Translators often render this term as "play" or "revelry," depending on whether the context suggests innocent sport or excessive merrymaking. The distinction matters because paizō carries the weight of bodily movement and sound. It is not a quiet mental activity but an outward expression of hilarity, whether in the harmless games of children or the dangerous distractions that can pull attention away from spiritual focus.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word paizō brings us back to the simple, unselfconscious joy of childhood. It describes the lively energy of playing, often with singing and dancing, rooted in the natural behavior of young people. When we see this term used in Scripture, it reminds us that physical expression is a real part of human life, whether in harmless games or communal celebration.
However, 1 Corinthians 10:7 shows us a darker side. Paul quotes Israel’s history to warn against idolatry, describing how the people "rose up to play" after eating and drinking. Here, paizō captures a raucous, perhaps reckless indulgence that pulled their focus away from God. It is not just about fun; it is about where our hearts settle when we let physical joy become an end in itself.
This word invites us to examine our own moments of leisure and celebration. Are they innocent expressions of joy, or do they sometimes lead us into distractions that dull our spiritual focus? We can enjoy the simple pleasures of life while keeping our eyes fixed on what truly matters, finding a balance that honors both our humanity and our faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to play.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παίζειν.1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 10:7
Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
This verse uses paizō to describe the reckless revelry of Israel at Sinai, showing how physical play can become a distraction from spiritual focus when it replaces devotion to God.