Bible Lexicons

ἀποστομ-ᾰτίζω, (στόμα)

I

1. teach by word of mouth, teach by dictation, γράμματα ἀ. Pl. Euthd. 277a: abs., ὅταν ἀ. ὑμῖν ὁ γραμματεύς ib. 276c: — Pass., τὸ ἀποστοματιζόμενον dictated lesson, ibid., Arist. SE 165b32.

2. interrogate, catechize, as a master his pupil,.Luke 11:53, cf. Pl. ap. Poll. 1.102 (Pass.).

II repeat by heart, Ath. 8.359d, Antyll. ap. Orib. 6.9.4: generally, recite, repeat, Plu. Thes. 24.

ἀποστοματίζω; (στοματίζω — not extant — from στόμα); properly, "to speak ἀπό στόματος (cf. ἀποστηθίζω);

1. to recite from memory: Themistius, or. 20, p. 238, Hard. edition; to repeat to a pupil (anything) for him to commit to memory: Plato, Euthyd., p. 276 c., 277 a.; used of a Sibyl prophesying, Plutarch, Thes. 24.

2. to ply with questions, catechize, and so to entice to (off-hand) answers: τινα, Luke 11:53.

* ἀποστοματίζω

(< στόμα ),

1. In cl., to speak from memory, to dictate to a pupil (Plat.).

2. In late Gk., to catechize, question: Luke 11:53 (MM, s.v.).†

We have no citations for this word, which is literary in classical and post-classical times. The difficulty in Luke 11:53 is the factitive sense, i.e. ";to make repeat answers,"; for which the only adequate parallel in Wetstein’s long list is a use of the passive assigned by Pollux (i. 102) to Plato, = ὑπὸ τῶν διδασκάλων ἐρωτᾶσθαι τὰ μαθήματα, ὡς ἀπὸ στόματος λέγειν τὸ αὐτό. It may be added that Grimm’s reference to ";στοματίζω —not extant"; is misleading : the verb was formed directly from ἀπὸ στόματος, just as ἐνωτίζομαι from ἐν ὠτί, etc.