"to hold firmly, cling or adhere to; to be devoted to any one, Lk. 16:13; Tit. 1:9; to exercise a zealous care for any one, 1 Thess. 5:14; Mk. 6:24*"
Definition and meaning
to hold firmly, cling or adhere to; to be devoted to any one, Lk. 16:13; Tit. 1:9; to exercise a zealous care for any one, 1 Thess. 5:14; Mk. 6:24*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀντέχω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of antecho (G472) across the King James Bible.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
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Common questions
Strong's G472 (antecho) is a Greek word that means: to hold firmly, cling or adhere to; to be devoted to any one, Lk. 16:13; Tit. 1:9; to exercise a zealous care for any one, 1 Thess. 5:14; Mk. 6:24* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word antecho (G472) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G472 is antecho, a Greek word defined as: to hold firmly, cling or adhere to; to be devoted to any one, Lk. 16:13; Tit. 1:9; to exercise a zealous care for any one, 1 Thess. 5:14; Mk. 6:24*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
antecho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.