Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πορθέω, similar concepts of destruction or devastation can be found in Hebrew words such as שָׁחַת (shachath • Strong's Hebrew 7843), which means to destroy or corrupt, and חָרַב (charab • Strong's Hebrew 2717), meaning to lay waste or ruin. These terms convey similar themes of destruction and are used in the Old Testament to describe acts of devastation.

Usage: The verb πορθέω appears in the New Testament in contexts where it describes acts of destruction or persecution, particularly in relation to the early Christian church.

Context: The Greek verb πορθέω (portheō) is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of destruction or devastation, often with a connotation of violence or aggression. This term is notably used by the Apostle Paul in his epistles to describe his former actions against the early Christian church before his conversion to Christianity.

In Galatians 1:13, Paul recounts his past life, stating, "For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it." Here, πορθέω is translated as "destroy," highlighting Paul's intense efforts to obliterate the Christian movement.

Similarly, in Galatians 1:23, Paul refers to the reports about him: "They only heard the account: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.'" Again, πορθέω is used to describe Paul's previous attempts to eradicate the faith he later came to embrace and promote.

The use of πορθέω in these passages underscores the severity and intensity of Paul's actions against the church, reflecting a period of his life marked by zealous opposition to the followers of Jesus. This term captures the transformation in Paul's life from a persecutor to a proponent of the Christian faith, illustrating the profound impact of his conversion experience.