Greek · G1189 · unreviewed

δέομαι

To pray

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

δέομαι G1189

Pronunciation déomai

What does δέομαι (déomai) mean in the Bible?

δέομαι (déomai) is a Greek word meaning "to pray". δέομαι (mid.

Full entry for δέομαι (G1189) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to pray

Extended definition

Earnest petition expressing personal need or lack, distinct from demanding request (αἰτέω).

(mid. of δέω, II, which see, as depon.) [in LXX for חנן, etc. ;] to want for oneself;

1to want, need:

aabsol.;

bwith genitive

2to beg, request, beseech, pray;

iin general: absol., Act.26:3, WH; with genitive of person(s), Luk.5:12; 8:28; 38 (ἐδεῖτο; T, ἐδέετο, cf. Veitch, see word δέω) 9:38, Act.8:34; 21:39, 2Co.5:20, Gal.4:12; before ἵνα, Luk.9:40; before τό, with inf., 2Co.10:2; with genitive of person(s) and of thing(s), 2Co.8:4; __(ii) of prayer to God: absol., Act.4:31; before εἴ πως, Rom.1:10; ἵνα, Luk.21:36; 22:32; εἰς τό, 1Th.3:10; ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ πρὸς τ. κύριον, ὅπως, Act.8:24; with genitive, τοῦ κυρίου, ὅπως, Mat.9:38, Luk.10:2; τοῦ Θεοῦ, Act.10:2; before εἰ ἄρα, Act.8:22.

Synonymsαἰτέω, and cf. δέησις.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Present Aorist

Voices

Middle Passive

Indicative states a fact or reality 7×

Present Middle Luke 8:28 · Luke 9:38 · Acts 8:34 · Acts 21:39 · Acts 26:3 · 2 Cor 10:2 · Gal 4:12 7×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 4×

Present Middle Luke 21:36 · 2 Cor 8:4 · 1 Thess 3:10 3×

Aorist Passive Acts 4:31 1×

Imperative command or strong request 1×

Aorist Passive Acts 8:22 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 12 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

ongoing 7 imperative 1 participle 4

Tense

present 10 aorist 2

Voice

middle 10 passive 2

Mood

indicative 7 participle 4 imperative 1

NT Occurrences

Luke 8:28 δέομαί present middle indicative ongoing Luke 9:38 δέομαί present middle indicative ongoing Luke 21:36 δεόμενοι present middle participle participle Acts 4:31 δεηθέντων aorist passive participle participle Acts 8:22 δεήθητι aorist passive imperative imperative Acts 8:34 Δέομαί present middle indicative ongoing Acts 21:39 δέομαι present middle indicative ongoing Acts 26:3 δέομαι present middle indicative ongoing 2 Corinthians 8:4 δεόμενοι present middle participle participle 2 Corinthians 10:2 δέομαι present middle indicative ongoing Galatians 4:12 δέομαι present middle indicative ongoing 1 Thessalonians 3:10 δεόμενοι present middle participle participle

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Biblical Witnesses

Luke 8:28 begged déomai Indicative · Present Middle

Desperate petition to Jesus, urgent supplication with genitive of person

Luke 9:38 begged déomai Indicative · Present Middle

Request directed at Jesus before ἵνα clause expressing desired outcome

Matthew 9:38 pray déomai

Prayer to God the Lord with genitive of God and ἵνα expressing petition

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 10 — God Opens the Gospel Door to the Gentiles Luke 21 — The Widow’s Gift, Jerusalem’s Fall, and Watchfulness before the Son of Man Luke 22 — The Passover Betrayal, the New Covenant Meal, and the Suffering Servant King

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details