Tag Archives: Greek word study of dero

The Greek word “dero”

Found 15 times in the New Testament, the Greek verb “dero” literally meant “flay, skin” (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 1:288).  This meaning is seen in the LXX (see Lev. 1:6; 2 Chron. 29:34; 35:11).  Typical meanings in the New Testament are “beat,” “scourge,” “strike.”

In verses like Mt. 21:35; Mk. 12:3, 5; 13:9 this word describes actual beatings.  This word is used to describe spiritual accountability in Lk. 12:47-48.  Paul used this term in a non-literal sense in 1 Cor. 9:26.