"pr. to execute right and justice; to punish, 2 Cor. 10:6; Rev. 6:10; 19:2; in NT to right, avenge a person, Lk. 18:3, 5; Rom. 12:9*"
Definition and meaning
pr. to execute right and justice; to punish, 2 Cor. 10:6; Rev. 6:10; 19:2; in NT to right, avenge a person, Lk. 18:3, 5; Rom. 12:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐκδικέω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 ekdikeo (G1556) across the King James Bible.
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
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Common questions
Strong's G1556 (ekdikeo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to execute right and justice; to punish, 2 Cor. 10:6; Rev. 6:10; 19:2; in NT to right, avenge a person, Lk. 18:3, 5; Rom. 12:9* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word ekdikeo (G1556) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1556 is ekdikeo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to execute right and justice; to punish, 2 Cor. 10:6; Rev. 6:10; 19:2; in NT to right, avenge a person, Lk. 18:3, 5; Rom. 12:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ekdikeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.