"to give in answer to a claim or expectation; to render a due, Mt. 12:36; 16:27; 21:41; 22:21; to recompense, Mt. 6:4, 6, 18; to discharge an obligation, Mt. 5:33; to pay a debt, Mt. 5:26; to render back, requite, Rom. 12:17; to give back, restore, Lk. 4:20; 9:42; to refund, Lk. 1..."
Definition and meaning
to give in answer to a claim or expectation; to render a due, Mt. 12:36; 16:27; 21:41; 22:21; to recompense, Mt. 6:4, 6, 18; to discharge an obligation, Mt. 5:33; to pay a debt, Mt. 5:26; to render back, requite, Rom. 12:17; to give back, restore, Lk. 4:20; 9:42; to refund, Lk. 10:35; 19:8; mid., to sell, Acts 5:8; 7:9; Heb. 12:16; pass., to be sold, Mt. 18:25; to be given up at a request, Mt. 27:58
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀποδίδωμι
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 apodidomi (G591) across the King James Bible.
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
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Common questions
Strong's G591 (apodidomi) is a Greek word that means: to give in answer to a claim or expectation; to render a due, Mt. 12:36; 16:27; 21:41; 22:21; to recompense, Mt. 6:4, 6, 18; to discharge an obligation, Mt. 5:33; to pay a debt, Mt. 5:26; to render ba... It appears 45 times in the King James Bible.
The word apodidomi (G591) appears 45 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G591 is apodidomi, a Greek word defined as: to give in answer to a claim or expectation; to render a due, Mt. 12:36; 16:27; 21:41; 22:21; to recompense, Mt. 6:4, 6, 18; to discharge an obligatio. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apodidomi is a Greek word found in the New Testament.