δολόω G1389
To adulterate, falsify, corrupt by mixing; to handle deceitfully or manipulate dishonestly
This verb means to adulterate, corrupt, or handle something deceitfully—like a merchant mixing inferior materials into a product to defraud customers. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 4:2, renouncing 'adulterating the word of God'—he refuses to corrupt or manipulate God's message for personal gain. Classical Greek used it for adulterating wine, alloying metals with cheaper substances, or disguising things deceptively. Paul contrasts such corruption with proclaiming truth openly and honestly.
Senses
1. sense 1 — 2 Corinthians 4:2 has Paul renouncing the practice of 'adulterating the word of God'—corrupting or manipulating Scripture for selfish purposes. The verb describes mixing in foreign elements to defraud, like diluting wine or alloying gold. Spanish 'adulterando,' French 'falsifier,' and English 'adulterating' capture this sense of corrupt handling that compromises purity. Paul insists on transparent, honest proclamation rather than crafty manipulation of God's truth. 1×
AR["مُغَشِّينَ"]·ben["মিথ্যা-করতে"]·DE["verfaelschen"]·EN["adulterating"]·FR["falsifier"]·heb["מְסַלְּפִים"]·HI["जो-मिलावट-करते-हैं"]·ID["memalsukan"]·IT["falsificare"]·jav["ngapusi"]·KO["속이며"]·PT["adulterando"]·RU["искажающие"]·ES["adulterando"]·SW["tukipotosha"]·TR["hilekarca davranarak"]·urd["ملاوٹ-کرتے-ہوئے"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
δολόω, beguile, ensnare, take by craft, Refs 5th c.BC+; δολοῦν τινὰ γάμοις beguile by the anticipation of.., Refs 5th c.BC+:—middle, Refs:—passive, Refs 8th c.BC+ __II disguise, μορφήν Refs; adulterate incense, wine, etc., Refs 1st c.AD+; alloy, Refs 2nd c.AD+; dye, τὰ ἔρια Refs 2nd c.AD+