Understanding βουλεύω (bouleuō) Strong’s G1011: Divine Planning and Strategic Decision-Making in God’s Kingdom

Pronunciation Guide: boo-LEU-oh (the “eu” pronounced as in “feud”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1011: βουλεύω (bouleuō) refers to the deliberate process of carefully considering, planning, and deciding on a course of action. It encompasses the mental activity of weighing options, consulting with others, and making strategic decisions. In the New Testament, this word carries the nuance of serious contemplation before important undertakings, often with implications for kingdom priorities and spiritual discernment.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Verb
• Root word: βουλή (boulē, G1012) – counsel, purpose, decision, plan
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Narrative sections, parables, and epistolary teaching
• Voice: Primarily middle voice in the New Testament, emphasizing personal involvement in the decision-making process
• Semantic domain: Thought, reasoning, planning

βουλεύω Morphology:

• βουλεύω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I deliberate/plan
• βουλεύεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you deliberate/plan
• βουλεύει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it deliberates/plans
• βουλεύομαι (present middle indicative, 1st person singular) – I deliberate/plan for myself
• βουλεύεσθαι (present middle infinitive) – to deliberate/plan for oneself
• βουλευσάμενος (aorist middle participle, nominative singular masculine) – having deliberated/planned

Origin & History

The verb βουλεύω has deep roots in classical Greek, where it often referred to the formal deliberative process within the βουλή (boulē) – the council or senate in ancient Greek city-states. In Athens, the βουλή was a council of 500 citizens who prepared matters for discussion in the general assembly (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia). Thus, βουλεύω carried connotations of formal, structured decision-making with civic responsibility.

In the Septuagint (LXX), βουλεύω appears in contexts of both human and divine planning. For example, in Proverbs 15:22 (LXX), we read “They who honor not councils put off deliberation, but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.” Here, βουλεύω reflects the wisdom tradition’s emphasis on careful deliberation. The historian Josephus frequently used this term when describing the strategic planning of military leaders and kings, highlighting its association with leadership and governance.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To deliberate with oneself, consider carefully
• To resolve, determine after consideration
• To take counsel with others, consult
• To devise, plot, or plan strategically
• To serve as a counselor or advisor

βουλεύω Translation Options:

• “To deliberate” – emphasizes the internal thought process and careful weighing of options
• “To plan” – highlights the forward-looking aspect of making preparations
• “To consider” – focuses on the reflective, contemplative nature of the action
• “To resolve” – stresses the decision-making outcome of deliberation
• “To counsel with oneself” – captures the middle voice usage common in the New Testament, where one consults with oneself

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, βουλεύω appears in contexts that emphasize prudent decision-making and strategic planning. Its first appearance is in Luke 14:31, where Yeshua (Jesus) uses the example of a king deliberating before going to war to illustrate the importance of counting the cost of discipleship. This usage establishes a pattern where βουλεύω is associated with serious, consequential decisions that require forethought.

The middle voice form (βουλεύομαι) is particularly significant in the New Testament, suggesting personal involvement and internal deliberation. This emphasizes that true decision-making in the kingdom context is not merely external but involves the heart and mind in full engagement with the will of God.

• “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and deliberate [βουλεύεται] whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?” Luke 14:31
• “So the chief priests consulted [ἐβουλεύσαντο] that they might put Lazarus to death also.” John 12:10
• “Since he could not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done!’ […] Then the commander called two centurions, saying, ‘Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.’ […] Then he called for two centurions and planned [βουλευσάμενος]…” Acts 21:14, 23:23-24, 25:12
• “When I was planning [βουλευόμενος] this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?” 2 Corinthians 1:17

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern context, deliberation (βουλεύω) was not merely an individual exercise but often a communal activity. Kings would convene councils of advisors before making important decisions, a practice reflected in both biblical and extra-biblical literature. The Hebrew concept of סוד (sod) – the “council” or intimate circle of advisors – parallels the Greek notion of deliberative bodies. This provides important background for understanding how βουλεύω functions in biblical contexts.

The rabbinic tradition placed high value on deliberative processes, embodied in the practice of pilpul (פלפול) – dialectical reasoning to discover truth. By Yeshua’s time, the Sanhedrin functioned as Israel’s formal deliberative body, making βουλεύω a concept with deep cultural resonance. When Yeshua spoke of kings who βουλεύεται (deliberate) before battle in Luke 14:31, His audience would have immediately recognized this as the expected practice of wise leadership – making His application to discipleship all the more striking.

Theological Significance

The concept of βουλεύω points to the profound truth that God Himself is the ultimate deliberative being. While human deliberation is limited by finite knowledge and wisdom, יהוה (Yahweh) possesses perfect council within Himself. Isaiah 46:10 declares that God’s “counsel [עֵצָה, etzah in Hebrew, translated as βουλή in the LXX] shall stand.” This reveals a God who doesn’t act impulsively but according to His perfect wisdom and eternal plan.

In the New Testament, we see this divine deliberation manifested in the person of Yeshua the Messiah, who perfectly embodied the Father’s βουλή (counsel). When Yeshua taught about counting the cost using the illustration of a king who βουλεύεται (deliberates), He was inviting disciples into a pattern of decision-making aligned with God’s kingdom priorities. True discipleship, then, involves adopting a deliberative approach to life that weighs all choices against eternal values rather than temporary expediencies.

The contrast between human and divine βουλεύω is perhaps most clearly seen in the passion narrative, where the religious leaders “plotted” (ἐβουλεύσαντο) to kill Yeshua (John 12:10), unaware that their schemes were being incorporated into God’s greater plan. This demonstrates that while human deliberation can be corrupted by sin, God’s sovereign counsel ultimately prevails, working all things – even evil plans – together for His glory and our good.

Personal Application

Understanding βουλεύω challenges us to evaluate our own decision-making processes. In a culture of impulsivity and instant gratification, the biblical concept of deliberation calls us to thoughtful consideration before action. When facing major life decisions, do we take time to βουλεύω – to deliberate prayerfully, seek wise counsel, and align our choices with God’s revealed will in Scripture?

The king in Luke 14:31 who deliberates before battle reminds us that spiritual warfare requires strategic thinking. Just as a wise king counts his resources before engaging an enemy, so believers must “count the cost” of discipleship and prepare themselves through prayer, Scripture study, and community support. This doesn’t mean we should be paralyzed by indecision, but rather that our actions should flow from a heart and mind saturated with God’s Word and responsive to His Spirit’s guidance.

Related Words

• βουλή (boulē) – counsel, purpose, will, plan; the result of deliberation. This noun form refers to the decision or plan itself, while βουλεύω describes the process of arriving at that plan. See G1012
• συμβουλεύω (symbouleuō) – to give advice, counsel together; adds the prefix συν- (with) to indicate joint deliberation or advising someone else. See G4823
• βούλημα (boulēma) – will, purpose, desire; the specific intent or determination resulting from deliberation. See G1013
• θέλω (thelō) – to wish, desire, want; differs from βουλεύω in that it emphasizes desire rather than deliberation. See G2309
• φρονέω (phroneō) – to think, set one’s mind on; focuses on the mindset or attitude, whereas βουλεύω emphasizes the decision-making process. See G5426

Did you Know?

• The ancient Greeks revered the concept of deliberation so highly that in Athens, each tribal representative who served on the βουλή (council) had to take a special oath called the βουλευτικός ὅρκος (bouleutikos horkos) – “councilor’s oath” – promising to give advice according to the laws and for the good of the people. This historical context illuminates why βουλεύω carried such weighty connotations of responsible leadership in biblical times.
• The deliberative process implied in βουλεύω influenced early church governance. The Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15 exemplifies this deliberative approach to decision-making, where after “much dispute” (Acts 15:7), the apostles and elders came to a consensus. Church fathers like Ignatius of Antioch would later emphasize the importance of bishops deliberating with their councils, reflecting the continuing influence of the βουλεύω concept in Christian community.
• Modern management theory has rediscovered the wisdom embedded in the ancient concept of βουλεύω. What the Greeks knew intuitively has been validated by contemporary research showing that deliberative decision-making processes tend to produce better outcomes than impulsive ones. The biblical emphasis on consultation and careful planning (Proverbs 15:22) anticipates modern insights about collaborative problem-solving and strategic thinking by thousands of years.

Remember This

βουλεύω reminds us that Kingdom living requires not just right intentions but strategic wisdom – the sacred art of deliberation that weighs present choices in light of eternal consequences.