ἐντῠπ-όω G1795
to engrave, carve, imprint; inscribe letters or designs into a hard surface
This verb means to engrave or carve into a surface, typically stone or metal. Second Corinthians 3:7 speaks of the law 'engraven in stones,' contrasting the old covenant written on tablets with the new covenant written on human hearts. The perfect passive participle emphasizes the completed, permanent state of the engraving. Classical usage included carving on monuments and molding in relief. Paul uses the physical permanence of stone-engraving to highlight a greater permanence: the Spirit's internal inscription on transformed hearts.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In 2 Corinthians 3:7, Paul refers to the ministry of death 'engraved on stones' (ἐντετυπωμένη ἐν λίθοις). This is Sinai vocabulary: the Ten Commandments carved into stone tablets. The perfect passive participle emphasizes permanence: once engraved, forever fixed. Spanish grabado and French graver confirm the inscription sense. But Paul's contrast is striking: external stone-engraving brought death; internal Spirit-writing brings life. The superior covenant is written not on hard stones but soft hearts. 1×
AR["المَنقوشَةِ"]·ben["যা-খোদাই-করা"]·DE["eingepraegt"]·EN["having-been-engraved"]·FR["graver"]·heb["חֲרוּתָה"]·HI["जो-अंकित-थी"]·ID["terukir"]·IT["incidere"]·jav["dipun-ukir"]·KO["새겨진"]·PT["gravado"]·RU["вырезанное"]·ES["grabado"]·SW["iliyochongwa"]·TR["o-"]·urd["کندہ-ہوئی"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐντῠπ-όω, carve or mould in or upon, τῷ νομίσματι ἐνετύπωσεν ἀπήνην Refs 4th c.BC+; also of a painter, Refs 1st c.AD+:—middle, Φειδίαν ἐν μέσῃ τῇ ἀσπίδι τὸ ἑαυτοῦ πρόσωπον ἐντυπώσασθαι Refs 4th c.BC+:—passive,Refs 1st c.AD+; to be imprinted, of a birth-mark, Refs 4th c.AD+; also, to be flattened by pressure, Refs 2nd c.AD+ is like a piece of carving on the doors, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __II metaphorically, τὸ ἰδίωμα τῇ λέξει ἐ. Refs 3rd c.AD+