What does πορθέω (porthéō) mean in the Bible?
πορθέω (porthéō) is a Greek word meaning "to ravage (figuratively)".
Greek · G4199
πορθέω
To ravage (figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
πορθέωG4199
Pronunciationporthéō
What does πορθέω (porthéō) mean in the Bible?
πορθέω (porthéō) is a Greek word meaning "to ravage (figuratively)".
Full entry for πορθέω (G4199) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4199?
The BSB source-word alignment has 3 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include tried to destroy (2), wreaked havoc (1).
Where does πορθέω (porthéō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Acts 9:21. Its strongest book concentrations include Galatians (2), Acts (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Ittried to destroy2×Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23
wreaked havoc1×Acts 9:21
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowActs 9:21
Aligned rows3
Books represented2
Acts1Galatians2
Source forms
ἐπόρθει1xeportheiGalatians 1:23
ἐπόρθουν1xeporthounGalatians 1:13
πορθήσας1xporthēsasActs 9:21
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular1xActs 9:21
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular1xGalatians 1:13
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular1xGalatians 1:23
Evidence Summary
Greek word. to ravage (figuratively)
Source Gloss
to ravage (figuratively)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
3 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Acts 9:21Verb Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
πορθήσαςporqhsav
I lay waste, destroy
Read verseGalatians 1:13Verb First Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἐπόρθουνeporqoun
I lay waste, destroy
Read verseGalatians 1:23Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἐπόρθει.eporqei
I lay waste, destroy
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 3 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
imperfect2aorist1
Voice
active3
Mood
indicative2participle1
NT Occurrences
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)