τεφρόω (tephroō)
tephroō
to turn to ashes
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb tephroō means to burn something completely until it turns to ash. Its root is the Greek word for "ashes," which gives the term a vivid image of total consumption and destruction. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Peter 2:6.
Here, Peter uses tephroō to describe God’s judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The text states that He condemned them with an overthrow, reducing them to ashes as an example to those who would follow in ungodliness. This specific usage highlights a finality that goes beyond simple ruin; it suggests a state where nothing remains but residue.
Translators typically render this as "reduced to ashes" or "turned to ashes." The choice of such a strong verb emphasizes the thoroughness of divine judgment. By focusing on the physical result—ashes rather than just rubble—the word underscores that the destruction was absolute and permanent, serving as a stark historical warning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tephroō describes a complete transformation into ash. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:6. Peter uses this vivid image to describe God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The destruction was not partial; it left nothing but residue. This finality serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of ungodliness.
For your faith, this word offers clarity rather than fear. It shows that God sees moral corruption clearly and acts with justice. Yet, the context is not just about punishment. Peter presents these cities as an example for those who live today. The ash remains a witness to the consequences of turning away from God.
This imagery invites reflection on our own lives. It challenges us to consider what we leave behind in our choices. The permanence of the ash underscores the importance of living with integrity. We are called to walk in ways that honor God, knowing that our actions have lasting significance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having reduced to ashes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τεφρώσας1×
Key Verses
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II Peter 2:6
and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example to those who would live in an ungodly way,
This verse uses tephroō to emphasize the absolute and permanent nature of God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, leaving only ash as a lasting example of ungodliness.