βιάζωbiázō
to force, i.e. (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into), or (passively) to be seized
Greek (New Testament) · G971
Meanings
to force, constrain, rare in act. (poet, and late prose), but found in classical Greek in passive, and so perhaps βιάζεται, suffereth violence, Matthew 11:12, EV (but see below), whether
(a) in good sense, of disciples, or
(b) in bad sense, of the enemies of the kingdom. Mid., advanceth violently, Matthew 11:12; followed by εἰς, to press violently, or force one's way into, Luke 16:16 (see ICC, in l., and in Matthew 11:12; cf. παραβιάζομαι and see MM, under that word).
Same root
- βίοςbíos · G979life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood
- βιαστήςbiastḗs · G973a forcer, i.e. (figuratively) energetic
- πιάζωpiázō · G4084to squeeze, i.e. seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture))
- προβιβάζωprobibázō · G4264to force forward, i.e. bring to the front, instigate
- παραβιάζομαιparabiázomai · G3849to force contrary to (nature), i.e. compel (by entreaty)
Where it appears
Appears 2 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 11:12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
- Luke 16:16 “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.