παραδίδωμι

I hand over, deliver, betray

Definition

The verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) carries the core meaning of 'handing over' or 'delivering' something from one party to another. In the New Testament, it is used in a wide range of contexts, from the neutral act of handing over a person to authorities (Matthew 10:17) to the deeply theological act of God the Father handing over His Son for humanity's salvation (Romans 8:32). It also frequently denotes betrayal, most famously in the handing over of Jesus by Judas (Matthew 10:4). Additionally, it can mean to transmit or hand down teachings or traditions (1 Corinthians 11:2, 23).

Biblical Usage

παραδίδωμι appears 118 times across the New Testament, with significant clusters in the Gospels (especially the Passion narratives), Acts, and Paul's letters. In the Gospels, it is a key term for Jesus' betrayal and arrest (e.g., Matthew 26:15-16, 45-46). In Acts and the Epistles, it describes the arrest and imprisonment of believers (Acts 8:3) and, importantly, the apostolic tradition of passing on the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3). Paul also uses it to describe God's act of giving up humanity to sin (Romans 1:24, 26, 28).

Etymology

The word is a compound verb formed from the preposition παρά (para), meaning 'beside, alongside,' and the common verb δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning 'I give.' Literally, it means 'to give over from one side to another.' This basic sense of transfer underlies all its nuanced uses, from simple delivery to treacherous betrayal.

Semantic Range

This is a theologically pivotal word. It is central to the doctrine of atonement, describing both the human betrayal of Jesus and the divine, loving act of the Father who 'did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all' (Romans 8:32). It highlights the dual agency in the crucifixion—human sin and divine purpose. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by revealing the profound connection between betrayal, divine sovereignty, and salvific deliverance throughout the biblical narrative.

In the Roman world, 'handing over' to authorities was a formal legal or political act. Betrayal (a specific use of this word) was considered a profound breach of social loyalty and trust, especially within the context of a teacher-disciple relationship, making Judas's act particularly heinous. The term also reflects the cultural importance of reliably transmitting oral tradition, which gives weight to its use for passing on apostolic teaching.

δίδωμι (didōmi, G1325) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to give,' without the connotation of transfer or handing over. προδίδωμι (prodidōmi, G4272) — A stronger, more explicit term for 'betray' used rarely (Romans 11:35). ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi, G591) — Often means 'to give back, repay, or render' what is due, focusing on completion or obligation.

Word Details

Scripture References