Greek word · G3344

μεταστρέφω

metastrephō

to change

To turn around, alter, change into something else, often the opposite; can mean to pervert or distort (BDAG).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

μετα στρέφω

[in LXX chiefly for הָפַךְ ;]

to turn about, turn, change: pass., Acts 2:20 (LXX), James 4:9 (WH, txt., μετατρέπω, which see); in evil sense, to pervert, corrupt (cf. primary sense reverse) : Galatians 1:7.†

μετα-τρέπω

[in LXX: 4Ma.6:5 4Mac 7:3 4Mac 7:12 4Mac 15:11 4Mac 15:18 * ;]

to turn about, turn (Hom., al., but not found in Att..) : with accusative, James 4:9 (WH, txt.; cf. μεταστρέφω).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 2:20

Range of meaning

To turn around, alter, change into something else, often the opposite; can mean to pervert or distort (BDAG).

Against the English

'Turned to/into' (all versions) is accurate. The Greek, and the Hebrew hapak behind it ('overturn'), suggest a complete reversal, not a slight dimming.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint Joel 3:4 (Eng. 2:31); Ps 105:29 (Heb; 104:29 LXX: waters turned to blood); Sir 11:31. In the NT: Gal 1:7 ('distort the gospel'); Jas 4:9 ('let your laughter be turned to mourning'). Hebrew hapak is the verb used for the overthrow of Sodom (Gen 19:25).

From the study of Galatians 1:7

Range of meaning

To turn around, reverse, or change something into something else, often its opposite.

Against the English

'Distort' (BSB, ESV, NASB) suggests bending or warping. 'Pervert' (KJV, WEB, YLT, NIV) once meant 'turn the wrong way' or 'corrupt', but today it carries strong sexual connotations. Neither fully conveys 'turn into its opposite'.

How it drifted

KJV-era 'pervert' (Latin pervertere, to overturn) was an accurate rendering. Since then the English word has narrowed toward sexual deviance, and 'distort' is weaker than the Greek.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament): Joel 2:31 [3:4 LXX], 'the sun will be turned into darkness', quoted in Acts 2:20. Deut 23:5 [23:6 LXX], God 'turned the curse into a blessing'. Ps 105:25 [104:25 LXX], God 'turned their heart' to hate his people. Sirach 11:31 speaks of one who 'turns good things into evil'.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 2:20 μεταστραφήσεται will be turned

    The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.

    Here: 'Will be turned', future and passive. Nobody is named as the one doing it, but v. 19 ('I will show wonders') makes clear that God does it. The word means a turning into the opposite: light turns into its reverse.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 1:7 μεταστρέψαι to pervert

    which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

    Here: A strong word: to turn something around into its opposite, not just to bend it a little. Paul is saying their version reverses the good news.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.