νοσφίζω

From the study of Acts 5:3

Range of meaning

In the middle voice, 'to put aside for oneself, misappropriate, pilfer, embezzle'. It is used for secretly diverting part of money or goods held in trust or meant for someone else. It does not describe ordinary 'keeping' of what is plainly yours.

Against the English

'Keep back' (KJV, WEB, NASB) and 'withhold' (BSB) sound mild, almost like prudent saving. The Greek has the feel of skimming or embezzling: quietly pocketing part of what is being presented as handed over.

How it drifted

English translators avoid 'embezzle' because, as Peter says in verse 4, the land and money were legally Ananias's own. But the word is chosen for the pretense. He presented the money as the full, dedicated proceeds, so the hidden portion was in effect taken from a gift he claimed to have made.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used only three times in the New Testament: Acts 5:2, 5:3, and Titus 2:10, where slaves are told not to 'pilfer' from their masters. In the Greek Old Testament, Joshua 7:1 says Israel 'misappropriated (enosphisanto) from the devoted things'. That is Achan, who hid part of the plunder devoted to God at the start of the conquest and died for it. 2 Maccabees 4:32 uses it of Menelaus stealing gold temple vessels. Greek financial documents use it for embezzling funds (BDAG).

From the study of Titus 2:10

Range of meaning

The word comes from νόσφι, "apart, aside." It means to put aside for yourself, to keep back part of something entrusted to you, to embezzle or skim. It covers misusing property you hold for someone else, whether it belongs to a master, a city or a god. It is not the word for open robbery.

Against the English

"Stealing" (BSB, WEB, NIV) is accurate but broad. "Purloining" (KJV, YLT) and "pilfering" (ESV, NASB) are closer, because they suggest small-scale, quiet theft from something you have access to.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) it describes Achan, who kept back part of the goods devoted to God (Josh 7:1). In 2 Maccabees 4:32 it describes Menelaus taking gold vessels from the temple. Its only other New Testament uses are Acts 5:2–3: Ananias "kept back" part of the price of the field. Greek historians such as Polybius use it for officials who embezzle public funds, and lexicons cite documentary papyri (everyday documents preserved on papyrus) with the same sense (BDAG; Moulton–Milligan).