"to lay waste, make desolate, bring to ruin, Mt. 12:25; Lk. 11:17; Rev. 17:16; 18:17, 19*"
Definition and meaning
to lay waste, make desolate, bring to ruin, Mt. 12:25; Lk. 11:17; Rev. 17:16; 18:17, 19*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐρημόω
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 eremoo (G2049) across the King James Bible.
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
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Common questions
Strong's G2049 (eremoo) is a Greek word that means: to lay waste, make desolate, bring to ruin, Mt. 12:25; Lk. 11:17; Rev. 17:16; 18:17, 19* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word eremoo (G2049) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2049 is eremoo, a Greek word defined as: to lay waste, make desolate, bring to ruin, Mt. 12:25; Lk. 11:17; Rev. 17:16; 18:17, 19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
eremoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.