Bible Lexicons

αντιτυπον

Neuter of a compound of G473 and G5179

ἀντίτυπος, ἀντίτυπον (τύπτω), in Greek writings:

1. properly,

a. actively, repelling a blow, striking back, echoing, reflecting light; resisting, rough, hard.

b. passively, struck back, repelled.

2. metaphorically, rough, harsh, obstinate, hostile. In the N. T. language ἀντίτυπον as a substantive means:

1. a thing formed after some pattern (τύπος (which see 4 a.)) (German Abbild): Hebrews 9:24 (R. V. like in pattern).

2. "a thing resembling another, its counterpart; something in the Messianic times which answers to the type" (see τύπος, 4 γ.) prefiguring it in the O. T. (German Gegenbild, English antitype), as baptism corresponds to the deluge: 1 Peter 3:21 (R. V. text after a true likeness).

** ἀντί -τυπος , -ον

(see τύπος ),

[in LXX: Ezra 3:13 A *;]

1. act. striking back; metaph., resisting, adverse.

2. Pass. struck back; metaph., corresponding to (MM, VGT, s.v.);

(a) as impression of a seal or copy of an archetype (τύπος ) (RV, Like in pattern), Hebrews 9:24;

(b) as the reality (of which τύπος is the copy or adumbration) (RV, after a true likeness), 1 Peter 3:21 (Cramer, 357).†

The meaning ";impress"; is rightly given by LS for τύπος as the first that arises from the etymology, and it is well supported in classical and post-classical writers. Hence, though ";profane"; examples for ἀντίτυπος (-ον) = ";corresponding"; (adj.) or ";image"; (noun) are rare, we can take the use in Hebrews 9:24 and 1 Peter 3:21 (";answering to";) as the survival of a primitive meaning. Note also Polyb. vi. 31.8 τοῖς δ᾽ ἰππεῦσι τούτοις ἀντίτυποι τίθενται, of auxiliary infantry posted ";opposite"; the cavalry, in a corresponding position. In MGr written language ἀ. means ";copy"; of a book.