Greek · G3973 · unreviewed

παύω

To cease

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παύω G3973
Pronunciation paúō

What does παύω (paúō) mean in the Bible?

παύω (paúō) is a Greek word meaning "to cease". παύω [in LXX for כָּלָה pi.

Full entry for παύω (G3973) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to cease
Extended definition

to make to cease, restrain, hinder: with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό 1Pe.3:10 (LXX). Mid., to cease, leave off: Luk.8:24 11:1, Act.20:1, 1Co.13:8; with ptcp., Luk.5:4, Act.5:42 6:13 13:10 20:31 21:32, Eph.1:16, Col.1:9, Heb.10:2; with genitive, ἀμαρτίας, 1Pe.4:1 (WH, mg., R, txt.); with dative, ib. (WH, txt., R, mg.).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses
Aorist Imperfect Present Future Perfect
Voices
Middle Active
Indicative states a fact or reality 13×
Aorist Middle Luke 8:24 · Acts 21:32 · Heb 10:2 · Luke 5:4 · Luke 11:1 · Acts 20:31
Present Middle Acts 6:13 · Eph 1:16 · Col 1:9
Future Middle Acts 13:10 · 1 Cor 13:8
Imperfect Middle Acts 5:42
Perfect Middle 1 Pet 4:1
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract
Aorist Middle Acts 20:1
Imperative command or strong request
Aorist Active 1 Pet 3:10
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 15 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 6 ongoing 3 prospective 2 resultant 1 imperative 1 background 1 infinitive 1
Tense
aorist 8 present 3 future 2 perfect 1 imperfect 1
Voice
middle 14 active 1
Mood
indicative 13 imperative 1 infinitive 1

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Sources