"to appease, render propitious; in NT to expiate, make an atonement or expiation for, Heb. 2:17; ἱλάσθητι, be gracious, show mercy, pardon, Lk. 18:13*"
Definition and meaning
to appease, render propitious; in NT to expiate, make an atonement or expiation for, Heb. 2:17; ἱλάσθητι, be gracious, show mercy, pardon, Lk. 18:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἱλάσκομαι
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 hilaskomai (G2433) across the King James Bible.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
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Common questions
Strong's G2433 (hilaskomai) is a Greek word that means: to appease, render propitious; in NT to expiate, make an atonement or expiation for, Heb. 2:17; ἱλάσθητι, be gracious, show mercy, pardon, Lk. 18:13* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word hilaskomai (G2433) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2433 is hilaskomai, a Greek word defined as: to appease, render propitious; in NT to expiate, make an atonement or expiation for, Heb. 2:17; ἱλάσθητι, be gracious, show mercy, pardon, Lk. 18:13*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hilaskomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.