Brief Overview of εὐλογέω (Strong’s G2127: eulogeō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is crucial in Biblical studies as it provides a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and the cultural and theological context of the early Christian period. The Greek word εὐλογέω (eulogeō) is particularly significant as it is often translated as “to bless,” “to praise,” or “to speak well of.” This term is foundational in understanding concepts of blessing, thanksgiving, and praise in both the New Testament and the broader ancient Greek culture. Exploring εὐλογέω allows us to grasp the nuances of blessing and how it reflects divine favor and human gratitude.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: εὐλογέω (eulogeō) [yoo-loh-GEH-oh]
• Etymology: Derived from εὖ (eu), meaning “well” or “good,” and λέγω (legō), meaning “to speak.” Together, they mean “to speak well of” or “to praise.”
• Part of Speech: Verb; present active indicative.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To bless
• To praise
• To speak well of
• To consecrate with words of praise

Similar Words: The word εὐλογέω is related to εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō), meaning “to give thanks.” While both terms involve positive speech, εὐχαριστέω focuses on gratitude, whereas εὐλογέω emphasizes the act of praising or blessing. Another related term is μακαρίζω (makarizō), which means “to call blessed” or “to consider fortunate,” often focusing on the state of blessedness rather than the act of blessing itself.

Further Insights:
Morphologically, εὐλογέω is a verb that follows the regular patterns of conjugation in Greek. As a verb, it can take different forms to express tense, voice, and mood, providing flexibility in its usage to describe various contexts of blessing, praise, or speaking well.

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
BDAG defines εὐλογέω as “to speak well of” or “to praise,” often in a religious context where it involves the act of blessing God or people. It emphasizes the expression of praise and goodwill through words.

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Thayer’s:
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon describes εὐλογέω as “to bless,” “to thank,” or “to consecrate with solemn praises.” It is used in both the Old and New Testaments to denote actions of blessing both God and people, highlighting its significance in liturgical and prayer contexts.

Vines:
Vines Expository Dictionary explains εὐλογέω as a word that conveys “to bless” or “to praise.” It is noted for its usage in the New Testament to describe God blessing His people, as well as believers blessing God and others.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) lexicon provides a classical perspective on εὐλογέω, defining it as “to speak well of” or “to praise.” It mentions the broader use of the term in ancient Greek literature to express commendation or approval.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists εὐλογέω as meaning “to speak well of” or “to bless.” It emphasizes its use in invoking blessings or expressing praise, whether in worship, prayer, or daily speech.

Related Scripture References

• Luke 1:64: “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised (εὐλογῶν) God.”
• Romans 12:14: “Bless (εὐλογεῖτε) them which persecute you: bless (εὐλογεῖτε), and curse not.”
• Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed (εὐλογητὸς) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed (εὐλογήσας) us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Classical Usage

Septuagint Usage

Summary of εὐλογέω (G2127: eulogeō)

The Greek word εὐλογέω (eulogeō) is a verb that means “to bless,” “to praise,” or “to speak well of.” It is derived from εὖ (“well”) and λέγω (“to speak”), indicating the act of speaking good things or offering praise. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s provide a comprehensive understanding of εὐλογέω, highlighting its importance in expressing divine blessing, human gratitude, and praise. In both the New Testament and classical Greek literature, εὐλογέω underscores the significance of blessing and the power of positive speech in religious and everyday contexts.

Did You Know?

Did you know that in ancient Greek culture, the concept of blessing (εὐλογέω) was not only a religious practice but also a social one? People would use blessings to express goodwill, invoke divine favor, and maintain harmony in their communities, showing the deep interconnection between language, culture, and spirituality!