ἐκτίθημι

I put out or expose a child, set forth, explain

Definition

The verb ἐκτίθημι literally means 'to set out' or 'to place outside.' In the New Testament, it carries two primary meanings. First, in its literal sense, it refers to the ancient practice of exposing an infant, meaning to abandon a newborn child to die (Acts 7:21). Second, in its more common figurative sense, it means to set forth or explain a matter in detail, as in expounding or narrating a story or doctrine (Acts 11:4, 18:26, 28:23).

Biblical Usage

ἐκτίθημι is used four times, all in the Book of Acts. In Acts 7:21, it describes Pharaoh's daughter finding the infant Moses after he had been 'exposed.' The other three uses are in the middle voice and describe verbal exposition: Peter 'explained' the events at Cornelius's house (Acts 11:4), Apollos was more accurately 'explaining' the way of God (Acts 18:26), and Paul 'expounded' or 'set forth' his message about the kingdom of God (Acts 28:23). The pattern shows a shift from a grim physical action to a positive communicative one.

Etymology

The word is a compound of the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning 'out,' and the common verb τίθημι (tithēmi), meaning 'to put' or 'to place.' Thus, its core meaning is 'to put out.' This root is seen in many Greek words related to setting or placing something.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the transition from the Law to the Gospel. Its stark use for infant exposure (Acts 7:21) underscores the desperate human condition from which God rescues us, as illustrated in Moses' story. Its primary use for explaining Christian truth (Acts 11:4, 18:26, 28:23) emphasizes the crucial New Testament activity of proclaiming and clarifying the message of salvation. Understanding this word enriches our view of early Christian teaching as a careful, deliberate 'setting forth' of God's plan.

The meaning 'to expose a child' (Acts 7:21) refers to the Greco-Roman practice of abandoning unwanted newborns, often due to poverty, deformity, or being female. This was a legally and socially accepted form of infanticide. The modern reader must understand this brutal context to feel the full weight of Moses' rescue and God's providence. The expository meaning aligns with ancient rhetorical and teaching practices of laying out an argument or narrative systematically.

ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneuō, G2059) — focuses on interpreting or translating meaning, often of languages or texts. διασαφέω (diasapheō, G1285) — means to make clear or explain fully, with an emphasis on clarity and detail.

Word Details

Scripture References