UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Form 1

Part of speech: verb

Constructions: ἱεροσυλέω; ἱερατεύω; συλάω

Sense 1: to rob temples

Semantic entry: 57.241

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Steal, Rob

Definition: to take by force or stealth objects from a temple

Notes: It is also possible to interpret ἱεροσυλέω in RV ROM 2:22 · LV ROM 2:22 · Read together ROM 2:22 as meaning ‘to commit sacrilege,’ in the sense of doing harm or damage to sacred objects in temples (see 53.104: ἱεροσυλέω).

ROM 2:22: RV ROM 2:22 · LV ROM 2:22 · Read together ROM 2:22

Show passage in OET

OET-RV ROM 2:22

22 You teach about not messing with other people’s spouses, yet you do it yourself. You detest idols, but you sneak money out of the temple.

OET-LV ROM 2:22

22 You saying not to _be _committing _adultery, you _are _committing _adultery?
You detesting the idols, you _are _temple-robbing?

Sense 2: to commit sacrilege, to desecrate

Semantic entry: 53.104

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Sacrilege

Definition: to commit sacrilege by doing harm or damage to sacred objects in temples

Notes: In biblical times the damaging of valuable objects in a temple was more than simply a criminal act, since it involved a serious breach of respect for supernatural beings. Accordingly, doing harm to sacred objects in a temple would be regarded as a particularly godless deed. For another interpretation of ἱεροσυλέω in RV ROM 2:22 · LV ROM 2:22 · Read together ROM 2:22, see 57.241: ἱεροσυλέω.