Understanding ἐκδιώκω (ekdiōkō) Strong’s G1559: The Intense Pursuit and Persecution that Reveals Spiritual Warfare

Pronunciation Guide: ek-dee-OH-koh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1559: ἐκδιώκω (ekdiōkō) conveys the forceful action of driving out, pursuing with hostility, or persecuting with intensity. It combines the preposition ἐκ (ek, “out from”) with διώκω (diōkō, “to pursue”), creating a compound word that emphasizes the thoroughness and intensity of the pursuit, often with hostile intent. This term frequently appears in contexts of religious persecution where believers are forcibly expelled or pursued.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἐκ (ek, “out from”) + διώκω (diōkō, “to pursue/persecute”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages, particularly in contexts of religious persecution
• Semantic Domain: Hostility, persecution, expulsion

ἐκδιώκω Morphology:

• ἐκδιώκω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I drive out/persecute
• ἐκδιώξουσιν (future active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they will drive out/persecute
• ἐκδιώκετε (present active indicative, 2nd person plural) – you drive out/persecute
• ἐκδιώξωσιν (aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person plural) – they might drive out/persecute

Origin & History

The compound verb ἐκδιώκω emerged from classical Greek, where διώκω originally meant “to pursue” in a neutral sense, such as pursuing a goal or hunting. The addition of the preposition ἐκ intensified the meaning to indicate “driving out completely” or “pursuing with hostility to the point of expulsion.” In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐκδιώκω appears in Psalm 118:157 (119:157 in English Bibles) where the psalmist laments, “Many are those who persecute me and afflict me.”

The term gained particular significance in Hellenistic Jewish contexts, where it described the persecution of the righteous by their enemies. By the New Testament era, it had become associated with the systematic persecution of religious communities, particularly in the context of opposition to the early Messianic community. The Jewish historian Josephus used similar terminology to describe hostile pursuit in his writings about the Jewish-Roman conflicts.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Forceful expulsion – driving someone out from a place or community
• Hostile pursuit – chasing someone with malicious intent
• Religious persecution – systematic mistreatment due to religious beliefs
• Intense harassment – continual aggression or antagonism against someone

ἐκδιώκω Translation Options:

• Persecute thoroughly – Emphasizes the completeness of the persecution, capturing the intensifying force of the prefix ἐκ
• Drive out violently – Highlights the forceful nature of the action and the resulting displacement
• Pursue with hostility – Focuses on the aggressive intent behind the pursuit
• Expel completely – Stresses the outcome of the action, where the object is fully removed from a place or community
• Hound relentlessly – Conveys the persistent and oppressive nature of the persecution

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐκδιώκω appears only twice, yet in contexts that powerfully illustrate the persecution faced by God’s messengers. Its first appearance is in Luke 11:49, where Yeshua (Jesus) quotes the “wisdom of God” saying, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute [ἐκδιώξουσιν].” This statement comes within Yeshua’s rebuke of the religious leaders, connecting their treatment of Him and His followers with the historical pattern of persecution against God’s prophets.

The second occurrence is in 1 Thessalonians 2:15, where Paul describes those “who killed both the Lord Yeshua and the prophets, and drove us out [ἐκδιωξάντων].” This passage reflects Paul’s personal experience of being forcibly expelled from various cities during his missionary journeys due to opposition from those who rejected the gospel message.

• “Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [ἐκδιώξετε] from city to city.” Luke 11:49
• “who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out [ἐκδιωξάντων]; and they are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men” 1 Thessalonians 2:15

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, exile and expulsion were among the most severe punishments, as one’s identity was deeply connected to community and place. Being “driven out” (ἐκδιώκω) meant not only physical displacement but also social death—the loss of protection, status, and belonging. This cultural context adds significant weight to Yeshua’s prophecy about His followers being “persecuted from city to city,” suggesting not just physical danger but complete social ostracism.

The term ἐκδιώκω also reflects the historical reality of the early Messianic community, whose members often faced violent expulsion from their synagogues and communities. The Jewish legal concept of cherem (ban or excommunication) may stand behind some uses of this term, particularly in contexts where religious authorities drove believers out of their communities. This separation was especially painful in a collectivist society where religious identity was inseparable from family and community relationships.

Theological Significance

The use of ἐκδιώκω in Scripture reveals a profound theological truth: genuine proclamation of God’s truth often provokes intense opposition. Yeshua explicitly connects this pattern of persecution to the prophetic tradition, showing that rejection of God’s messengers is a consistent pattern throughout redemptive history. This persecution, far from indicating failure, actually confirms the authenticity of the prophetic message and the messenger’s place in God’s redemptive plan.

Moreover, the term highlights the spiritual warfare that underlies physical persecution. When believers are “driven out” (ἐκδιώκω), it manifests the deeper cosmic conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces that oppose it. Paul’s use of this term in 1 Thessalonians connects such persecution to those who are “hostile to all men,” suggesting that opposition to the gospel stems from an underlying antagonism toward God’s purposes for humanity.

This persecution also reveals God’s sovereign purpose in spreading His message. Historically, when believers were “driven out” (ἐκδιώκω) from one location, they carried the gospel to new regions, fulfilling Yeshua’s commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” What human opposition intended for harm, יהוה (Yahweh) used for the advancement of His kingdom, demonstrating His ability to work all things together for good.

Personal Application

When we encounter the term ἐκδιώκω in Scripture, we’re reminded that following the Messiah has always involved cost and conflict. If you’re facing opposition or rejection because of your faith, you stand in a long tradition of faithful witnesses who experienced similar treatment. This perspective doesn’t minimize your suffering but places it within God’s redemptive narrative, giving it meaning and purpose.

Consider also how this term challenges our response to persecution. Rather than retaliating with hostility when “driven out” or mistreated, followers of Yeshua are called to respond with blessing and prayer for their persecutors. This counterintuitive response demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel and reveals that we serve a Messiah who Himself was rejected and expelled, yet responded with forgiveness and love.

Related Words

• διώκω (diōkō) (dee-OH-ko) – The simple form meaning “to pursue” or “to persecute,” lacking the intensifying prefix that emphasizes expulsion. It can be used in both positive contexts (pursuing righteousness) and negative ones (persecuting others). See G1377
• διωγμός (diōgmos) (dee-ohg-MOHS) – The noun form related to διώκω, meaning “persecution” or “a state of being pursued with hostile intent.” This term appears more frequently in the New Testament to describe the suffering of believers. See G1375
• ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) (ek-BAHL-lo) – Another compound verb with ἐκ (“out”), meaning “to cast out” or “to throw out,” often used in contexts of exorcism or forceful removal. See G1544
• ἀποδιώκω (apodiōkō) (ah-po-dee-OH-ko) – A similar compound verb meaning “to chase away” or “to drive out,” with a focus on sending away or repelling. See G615
• καταδιώκω (katadiōkō) (kah-tah-dee-OH-ko) – A compound verb meaning “to pursue intensely” or “to hunt down,” emphasizing the thoroughness of the pursuit. See G2614

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the concept behind ἐκδιώκω appears in modern Greek legal terminology? In contemporary Greek law, ἐκδίωξη (ekdíoxi) refers to prosecution or legal pursuit, preserving the ancient connotation of pursuing someone with official sanction or authority. This linguistic continuity highlights how the concept of authorized pursuit has remained relevant across millennia.
• Did you know that the persecution described by ἐκδιώκω in the New Testament foreshadowed the Roman imperial persecutions that would follow? While the early instances of persecution mentioned in Scripture were primarily local and Jewish-led, they anticipated the systematic Roman persecutions that would attempt to completely eradicate (ἐκδιώκω) the early believers from society. This transition from local to imperial persecution represents a significant escalation in the spiritual warfare against the early Messianic community.
• Did you know that in rabbinical tradition, the concept of “driving out” (similar to ἐκδιώκω) was sometimes applied to the spiritual practice of expelling evil inclinations? Just as one might forcefully drive out an external enemy, the sages taught that a person should vigorously pursue and expel negative traits and temptations from their character. This provides an interesting contrast to the physical persecution described in the New Testament, suggesting that the spiritual discipline of self-examination involves a similar intensity of purpose.

Remember This

ἐκδιώκω reveals that when God’s truth advances, opposition intensifies—yet persecution has always been the seedbed from which the kingdom of God grows most vigorously.