Pronunciation Guide: ek’-do-tos (with emphasis on the first syllable)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1560: ἔκδοτος (ekdotos) refers to something or someone “given up” or “delivered over” to another’s power or authority, often implying a deliberate act of surrender or handing over. In its biblical context, it conveys the profound theological concept of divine appointment and purposeful sacrifice, particularly in relation to Messiah Yeshua being handed over according to God’s predetermined plan.
Etymology and Morphology
- Verbal adjective from the verb ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidōmi)
- Composed of the preposition ἐκ (ek, “out of, from”) + δίδωμι (didōmi, “to give”)
- Appears only once in the New Testament (hapax legomenon)
- Primarily used in narrative and theological discourse
- Passive in voice, indicating something received or experienced
ἔκδοτος Morphology:
- ἔκδοτος (nominative singular masculine) – one who is delivered over
- ἔκδοτον (accusative singular masculine) – the one delivered over
- ἐκδότου (genitive singular masculine) – of the one delivered over
- ἐκδότῳ (dative singular masculine) – to/for the one delivered over
Origin & History
The term ἔκδοτος has roots in classical Greek literature, where it conveyed the sense of surrendering something valuable or important. In Herodotus’ “Histories” (5.67), it appears in the context of surrendering territories. The word evolved to describe the act of giving up persons, particularly in legal or political contexts. In Demosthenes’ speeches, it refers to the extradition of individuals to face justice.
In the Septuagint (LXX), though ἔκδοτος itself is rare, related forms from ἐκδίδωμι appear in contexts of divine judgment and surrender, particularly in the prophetic literature. The conceptual framework of “being handed over” according to divine purpose finds significant precedent in the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in Isaiah’s Suffering Servant passages, where the servant is “given over” for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:6, 12).
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- Surrendered or delivered over by deliberate act
- Handed over to a higher authority or power
- Given up for a specific purpose or plan
- Yielded or surrendered with intentionality
- Delivered up according to predetermined design
ἔκδοτος Translation Options:
- Delivered up – Emphasizes the act of transferring to another’s authority
- Handed over – Captures the deliberate nature of the surrender
- Given up – Reflects the sacrificial aspect of relinquishing control
- Surrendered – Conveys the completeness of the yielding
- Yielded – Highlights the submission to a higher purpose or plan
Biblical Usage
The term ἔκδοτος appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 2:23, where Peter declares in his Pentecost sermon that Yeshua was “delivered over” according to God’s predetermined plan. This singular usage carries immense theological significance, as it connects the crucifixion of the Messiah not to human accident or Roman political expediency, but to the sovereign purpose of God worked out through human actions.
The concept represented by ἔκδοτος resonates throughout Scripture, particularly in passages that speak of the Messiah being “given” for humanity’s salvation. While the exact term is rare, its theological concept permeates the New Testament understanding of Yeshua’s sacrifice. The concept finds parallel expressions in passages like Romans 8:32 and Galatians 2:20, where God’s “giving up” of His Son is central to the redemptive narrative.
- “This Man, delivered over [ἔκδοτον] by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” Acts 2:23
Cultural Insights
In the cultural context of the first century, the concept of being “delivered over” (ἔκδοτος) carried significant legal and political connotations. Roman law permitted the extradition or surrender of individuals to face justice, known as “deditio.” This process required formal legal procedures and official authorization. When Peter used this term in his Pentecost sermon, his Jewish audience would have immediately recognized the legal and authoritative dimensions of the term.
Additionally, the concept resonates with ancient Jewish sacrificial practices. In Temple worship, animals designated for sacrifice were formally “handed over” to the priests. This ritual transfer of the sacrifice from the offerer to the priest represented a deliberate act of surrender that acknowledged both the cost of sin and the hope of reconciliation. The use of ἔκδοτος in relation to Yeshua evokes this imagery, presenting Him as the ultimate sacrifice “handed over” by God for humanity’s redemption, fulfilling the typology of the Temple sacrificial system.
Theological Significance
The singular use of ἔκδοτος in Acts 2:23 encapsulates a profound theological paradox: the Messiah’s crucifixion represented both the greatest human injustice and the perfect fulfillment of divine justice. This term reveals that what appeared to be a moment of divine abandonment was actually the culmination of God’s eternal plan of redemption. It affirms that even in the darkest moment of human history, God remained sovereign and purposeful.
The concept of ἔκδοτος also illuminates the harmony between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While Yeshua was “delivered over” according to God’s predetermined plan, Peter does not absolve those who crucified Him of moral responsibility. This theological tension preserves both God’s sovereignty and human accountability, showing that divine purpose works through, rather than against, human freedom. The term thus reveals God’s character as both transcendent in His authority and immanent in His engagement with human history.
Personal Application
The concept of ἔκδοτος challenges believers to recognize that what appears to be surrender or loss in our lives may actually be part of God’s sovereign plan. Just as Yeshua was “delivered over” for the ultimate purpose of resurrection and redemption, our moments of greatest suffering or surrender may be precisely the points at which God is working His greatest purposes. This perspective transforms how we view our challenges and disappointments.
Moreover, ἔκδοτος invites us to practice intentional surrender in our spiritual lives. If God in His wisdom “delivered over” His own Son according to His perfect plan, we can trust Him with our own lives and futures. Surrendering our dreams, ambitions, and self-determination to God’s authority becomes not an act of defeat but a participation in the divine pattern of redemption that turns apparent loss into ultimate victory.
Related Words
- παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, “to hand over, deliver”) – A more common term that shares the concept of delivery or surrender, but often lacks the specific connotation of formal or legal surrender found in ἔκδοτος. See G3860
- προδίδωμι (prodidōmi, “to give before, betray”) – Emphasizes the element of betrayal or premature surrender, contrasting with the divine purpose emphasized in ἔκδοτος. See G4272
- ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi, “to give back, return”) – Focuses on restoration or repayment rather than surrender, highlighting a different aspect of giving. See G591
- ὁρίζω (horizō, “to determine, appoint”) – While not directly related etymologically, this word appears in the same verse as ἔκδοτος and complements its meaning by emphasizing divine determination. See G3724
- πρόγνωσις (prognōsis, “foreknowledge”) – Also appears with ἔκδοτος in Acts 2:23, emphasizing God’s prior knowledge that works alongside His predetermined plan. See G4268
Did you Know?
- Did you know that the concept of being “delivered over” (ἔκδοτος) appears in ancient Greek treaties and diplomatic exchanges? In these contexts, it referred to the formal surrender of territories or individuals as part of peace negotiations. This diplomatic usage illuminates the significant legal and formal aspects of Yeshua being “delivered over” according to God’s predetermined plan—it was not a casual or incidental act but a deliberate divine treaty-making process to establish peace between God and humanity.
- Did you know that the root verb ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidōmi) was used in the business world of ancient Greece to describe the leasing of property or the hiring out of slaves? This commercial background adds depth to our understanding of ἔκδοτος in Acts 2:23, suggesting that the Father’s “delivering over” of the Son was a purposeful investment rather than a mere abandonment. Just as a business owner would lease property with expectation of return, the Father’s surrender of the Son anticipated the return of resurrection and the profit of souls redeemed.
- Did you know that while ἔκδοτος appears only once in the New Testament, the theological concept it represents forms the backbone of early Christian proclamation? The apostolic kerygma (preaching) consistently emphasized that Messiah Yeshua’s death was according to God’s predetermined plan, not a failure of His mission. This demonstrates how a single word usage in Scripture can encapsulate and communicate an entire theological framework that shapes Christian understanding of salvation history.
Remember This
The profound mystery of ἔκδοτος reveals that what appears to be the greatest surrender in history—the Messiah delivered over to death—was actually God’s greatest strategic victory, transforming the instrument of shame into the means of glory and turning apparent defeat into eternal triumph.
