"to twist; to turn, Mt. 5:39; to make a change of substance, to change, Rev. 11:6; absol. to change or turn one’s course of dealing, Acts 7:42; mid. to turn one’s self about, Mt. 16:23; Lk. 7:9; to turn back, Acts 7:39; to change one’s direction, to turn elsewhere, Acts 13:46; to ..."
Definition and meaning
to twist; to turn, Mt. 5:39; to make a change of substance, to change, Rev. 11:6; absol. to change or turn one’s course of dealing, Acts 7:42; mid. to turn one’s self about, Mt. 16:23; Lk. 7:9; to turn back, Acts 7:39; to change one’s direction, to turn elsewhere, Acts 13:46; to change one’s course of principle and conduct, to be converted, Mt. 18:3
In the original Greek the word is written: στρέφω
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 strepho (G4762) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
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Common questions
Strong's G4762 (strepho) is a Greek word that means: to twist; to turn, Mt. 5:39; to make a change of substance, to change, Rev. 11:6; absol. to change or turn one’s course of dealing, Acts 7:42; mid. to turn one’s self about, Mt. 16:23; Lk. 7:9; to tur... It appears 18 times in the King James Bible.
The word strepho (G4762) appears 18 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4762 is strepho, a Greek word defined as: to twist; to turn, Mt. 5:39; to make a change of substance, to change, Rev. 11:6; absol. to change or turn one’s course of dealing, Acts 7:42; mid. to. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
strepho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.