What does σπένδω (spéndō) mean in the Bible?
σπένδω (spéndō): To pour out life-blood as sacrificial offering, expressing complete self-giving unto death.
Greek · G4689
σπένδω
To pour a libation
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.
σπένδωG4689
Pronunciationspéndō
What does σπένδω (spéndō) mean in the Bible?
σπένδω (spéndō): To pour out life-blood as sacrificial offering, expressing complete self-giving unto death.
Full entry for σπένδω (G4689) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4689?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include being poured out like a drink offering (1), I am being poured out like a drink offering (1).
Where does σπένδω (spéndō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Philippians 2:17. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Timothy (1), Philippians (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 Itbeing poured out like a drink offering1×2 Timothy 4:6
I am being poured out like a drink offering1×Philippians 2:17
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowPhilippians 2:17
Aligned rows2
Books represented2
Philippians12 Timothy1
Source forms
σπένδομαι2xspendomaiPhilippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:6
Parsing patterns
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular2xPhilippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:6
Evidence Summary
Greek word. To pour out life-blood as sacrificial offering, expressing complete self-giving unto death.
Strong'sG4689
Lexical occurrences0 versesGreek text appearances2 timesVerse guides0 guides
Study link2 Timothy 4:6-8Source Gloss
to pour a libation
Extended definitionSource: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
To pour out life-blood as sacrificial offering, expressing complete self-giving unto death.
to pour out as a drink-offering, make a libation; pass., figuratively, σπένδομαι, I am poured out or offered as a libation (in the shedding of my life-blood): Php.2:17 (see Lft., in l), 2Ti.4:6 (for exx. from π., see Milligan, Selections, 114 f.; MM, xxiii).
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
2 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Philippians 2:17Verb First Person Singular Present Passive Indicative
σπένδομαιspendomai
I pour out as a libation
Read verse2 Timothy 4:6Verb First Person Singular Present Passive Indicative
σπένδομαι,spendomai
I pour out as a libation
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 2 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present2
Voice
passive2
Mood
indicative2
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)
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
New Testament Witnesses
to be poured out as a drink offering
Word Origins
σπένδω is a primary verb - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Paul views his life and death as a sacrificial offering dedicated to God.2 Timothy 4:6-8