"to deprive, rob; mid. to misappropriate; to make secret reservation, Acts 5:2, 3; to purloin, Tit. 2:10*"
Definition and meaning
to deprive, rob; mid. to misappropriate; to make secret reservation, Acts 5:2, 3; to purloin, Tit. 2:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: νοσφίζω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 nosphizo (G3557) across the King James Bible.
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
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Common questions
Strong's G3557 (nosphizo) is a Greek word that means: to deprive, rob; mid. to misappropriate; to make secret reservation, Acts 5:2, 3; to purloin, Tit. 2:10* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word nosphizo (G3557) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3557 is nosphizo, a Greek word defined as: to deprive, rob; mid. to misappropriate; to make secret reservation, Acts 5:2, 3; to purloin, Tit. 2:10*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
nosphizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.