Quick Definition
I fight with wild beasts
Strong's Definition
to be a beast-fighter (in the gladiatorial show), i.e. (figuratively) to encounter (furious men)
Derivation: from a compound of G2342 (θηρίον) and G3164 (μάχομαι);
KJV Usage: fight with wild beasts
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
θηριομαχέω, θηριομάχω: 1 aorist ἐθηριομάχησα; (θηριομαχος); to fight with wild beasts (Diodorus 3, 43, 7; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 54; 5, 49); εἰ ἐθηριομάχησα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ, 1Co_15:32 these words some take literally, supposing that Paul was condemned to fight with wild beasts; others explain them tropically of a fierce contest with brutal and ferocious men (so θηριομάχειν in Ignatius ad Rom_5:1-21 [ET] (etc.); ὁιοις θηρίοις μαχομεθα says Pompey, in the Appendix, bell. 104:2,61; see θηρίον). The former opinion encounters the objection that Paul would not have omitted this most terrible of all perils from the catalog in 2Co_11:23 ff
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
θηριομαχέω thēriomacheō 1x
to fight with wild beasts; met. to be exposed to furious hostility, 1Co_15:32
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
† θηριομαχέω , -ῶ
( < θηρίον , μάχομαι ),
to fight with wild beasts ( Diod ., al. ): 1Co_15:32 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
θηριομαχέω [page 291]
The subst. θηρομαχία is found OGIS 533 .48 (i/B.C.) θηρομαχίαν ἔδωκεν . For the verb, see Vett. Val. p. 129 .33 ὁ τοιοῦτος ἐθηριομάχησεν , and similarly p. 130 .21. A close parallel to the Pauline usage ( 1Co_15:32 ) occurs in Ignat. Rom_5:1-21 ἀπὸ Συρίας μέχρι Ῥώμης θηριομαχῶ . Though the verb used is different, we may compare the maiden s lament in P Ryl I. 15 .7 (ii/A.D.)
κακοῖς
[θηρίοις νιν ] μονομαχήσειν ἀνέπεισαν .
They have persuaded him to fight alone with evil beasts (Ed.).
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
θηριομαχέω, -ῶ
(θηρίον, μάχομαι),
to fight with wild beasts (Diod., al.): 1Co.15:32.†
(AS)