Original Word: παρατίθημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: paratithémi
Pronunciation: pah-rah-TEE-thay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (par-at-ith'-ay-mee)
KJV: allege, commend, commit (the keeping of), put forth, set before
NASB: set before, entrust, presented, served, commend, commended, commit
Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) and G5087 (τίθημι - laid)]

1. to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth)
2. (by implication) to deposit (as a trust or for protection)

entrust, commend, commit

From para and tithemi; to place alongside, i.e. Present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for protection) -- allege, commend, commit (the keeping of), put forth, set before.

see GREEK para

see GREEK tithemi

3908 paratíthēmi (from 3844 /pará, "right close beside" and 5087 /títhēmi, "to place, put") – properly, to set close beside (right next to); (figuratively) entrust; commit to in a very up-close-and-personal way (note the force of the prefix para).

Word Origin
from para and tithémi
Definition
to place beside, to set before
NASB Translation
commend (1), commended (1), commit (1), entrust (3), entrusted (1), giving evidence (1), presented (2), serve (1), served (2), set before (5), set...before (1).

STRONGS NT 3908: παρατίθημι

παρατίθημι; future παραθήσω; 1 aorist παρέθηκα; 2 aorist subjunctive 3 person plural παραθῶσιν, infinitive παραθεῖναι (Mark 8:7 R G); passive, present participle παρατιθέμενος; 1 aorist infinitive παρατεθῆναι (Mark 8:7 Lachmann); middle, present παρατίθεμαί; future παραθήσομαι; 2 aorist 3 person plural παρέθεντο, imperative παράθου (2 Timothy 2:2); from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for שׂוּם;

1. to place beside, place near (cf. παρά, IV. 1) or set before: τίνι τί, as a. food: Mark 6:41; Mark 8:6; Luke 9:16; Luke 11:6; τράπεζαν a table, i. e. food placed on a table, Acts 16:34 (Ep. ad Diogn. 5, 7 [ET]); τά παρατιθέμενα ὑμῖν (A. V. such things as are set before you), of food, Luke 10:8 (Xenophon, Cyril 2, 1, 30); singular 1 Corinthians 10:27.

b. to set before (one) in teaching (Xenophon, Cyril 1, 6, 14; the Sept. Exodus 19:7): τίνι παραβολήν, Matthew 13:24, 31. Middle, to set forth (from oneself), to explain: followed by ὅτι, Acts 17:3.

2. Middle, "to place down (from oneself or for oneself) with anyone, to deposit; to intrust, commit to one's charge" (Xenophon, respub. Athen. 2, 16; Polybius 33, 12, 3; Plutarch, Numbers 9; Tobit 4:1): τί τίνι, a thing to one to be cared for, Luke 12:48; a thing to be religiously kept and taught to others, 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:2; τινα τίνι, to commend one to another for protection, safety, etc., Acts 14:23; Acts 20:32 (Diodorus 17, 23); τάς ψυχάς to God, 1 Peter 4:19; τό πνεῦμα μου εἰς χεῖρας Θεοῦ, Luke 23:46; Psalm 30:6 ().

Paratithemi (Strong’s Greek 3908)

Scope of Meaning and Usage

The verb spans two dominant ideas:

1. Placing or setting something before others.
2. Committing or entrusting a person, message, or life into reliable hands.

Nineteen New Testament occurrences touch five main spheres: physical provision, instructional presentation, spiritual entrustment, apostolic commendation, and eschatological hope.

Physical Provision

In the feeding narratives (Mark 6:41; 8:6-7; Luke 9:16) the disciples “set” the multiplied bread and fish before the crowds, underscoring that human agents distribute what the Lord supplies. Hospitality scenes echo the same action: Luke 10:8, Acts 16:34, 1 Corinthians 10:27. Early believers learned that every table could become a witness to divine generosity and fellowship.

Instructional Presentation

Jesus “set before them another parable” (Matthew 13:24, 31), and Paul “was explaining and proving” (Acts 17:3) by laying out Christ’s messianic credentials. The verb pictures truth arranged like dishes on a table—orderly, accessible, inviting response. Teachers serve doctrine; hearers digest it (Luke 12:48).

Spiritual Entrustment

Paratithemi marks moments of ultimate trust. On the cross Jesus cried, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Peter urges persecuted saints: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good” (1 Peter 4:19). Suffering believers do not surrender to fate; they place themselves in God’s care.

Apostolic Commendation and Leadership Transfer

Acts twice records missionary teams commended to the Lord: “They appointed elders for them in every church, and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord” (Acts 14:23); “And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32). Paul repeats the pattern with Timothy: “This charge I entrust to you” (1 Timothy 1:18) and “What you have heard from me... entrust to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). The church’s doctrinal deposit moves from Christ to apostles to successive generations, safeguarded by deliberate handoffs.

Eschatological Confidence

The crucifixion cry (Luke 23:46) and Peter’s counsel (1 Peter 4:19) frame the believer’s life and death. From first breath of new life to final breath in mortality, the soul rests secure when committed to the faithful Creator.

Historical Background

Classical and legal Greek used paratithemi for depositing valuables with a trusted guardian. The New Testament baptizes the term, turning financial trust into spiritual stewardship. Households of the Greco-Roman world placed meals before guests; churches placed the gospel before nations.

Ministry Implications

• Discipleship: Truth must be arranged, explained, and handed over intact.
• Leadership development: Elders and teachers receive a sacred trust, not personal property.
• Pastoral care: Prayerful commendation affirms that God, not the minister, is the final guardian of the flock.
• Suffering and dying: The believer’s refuge is the Father’s hands.

Key Themes

Placement, provision, presentation, protection, and perpetuation—each thread weaves through paratithemi, calling every generation to serve the bread of life, entrust the treasure of doctrine, and rest body and soul with the Lord who never fails.

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