Greek · G757, G3618 · unreviewed

ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν

To be first (in political rank or power) · to build

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

ἄρχω G757 to be first (in political rank or power)

Pronunciation árchō

To rule or govern; in NT often means to begin an action or process (especially with infinitive).

Open lexicon entry →

οἰκοδομέω G3618 to build

Pronunciation oikodoméō

To build up spiritually or morally, strengthening Christian character and community maturity

Open lexicon entry →

What does ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν (ērxato oikodomein) mean in the Bible?

ἄρχω · οἰκοδομέω is a Greek word meaning "began to build".

Full entry for ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν (G757, G3618) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

began to build

Grammatical Forms

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

Tenses

Aorist Present Future Imperfect

Voices

Middle Active

Indicative states a fact or reality 65×

Aorist Middle Matt 4:17 · Matt 11:7 · Matt 11:20 · Matt 16:21 · Matt 16:22 · Matt 26:37 · Matt 26:74 · Mark 1:45 · Mark 4:1 · Mark 5:20 · Mark 6:2 · Mark 6:7 · Mark 6:34 · Mark 8:31 · Mark 8:32 · Mark 10:28 60×

Future Middle Luke 13:26 · Luke 14:9 · Luke 23:30 3×

Imperfect Middle John 6:17 1×

Present Middle 2 Cor 3:1 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 12×

Aorist Middle Matt 14:30 · Matt 20:8 · Luke 23:5 · Luke 24:27 · Acts 1:22 · Acts 8:35 · Acts 10:37 · Acts 11:4 · Matt 18:24 · Luke 24:47 10×

Present Middle Luke 3:23 · Luke 21:28 2×

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 5×

Aorist Middle Matt 24:49 · Luke 12:45 · Luke 3:8 · Luke 13:25 · Luke 14:29 5×

Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 4×

Present Active Mark 10:42 · Rom 15:12 2×

Aorist Middle Acts 11:15 · 1 Pet 4:17 2×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 40 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 7 ongoing 10 prospective 5 resultant 1 imperative 1 background 1 subjunctive 1 infinitive 5 participle 9

Tense

present 21 aorist 11 future 5 pluperfect 1 perfect 1 imperfect 1

Voice

active 33 passive 7

Mood

indicative 24 participle 9 infinitive 5 imperative 1 subjunctive 1

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)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 10 — Learn from Israel, Flee Idolatry, and Seek the Good of Others for God’s Glory 1 Corinthians 14 — Pursue Love, Desire Gifts, and Let All Things Be Done for Edification and Order 1 Corinthians 8 — Knowledge, Love, and the Weak Brother in a World of Idols Acts 20 — Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details