Berean Strong's Lexicon deomai: To beg, to beseech, to pray, to request earnestly Original Word: δέομαι Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word δέω (deo), meaning "to bind" or "to tie." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "deomai" is שָׁאַל (sha'al), which means "to ask" or "to request." Usage: The verb "deomai" is used in the New Testament to express a deep, earnest request or plea, often directed towards God or another person. It conveys a sense of urgency and need, reflecting a humble and sincere appeal for help or intervention. This term is frequently associated with prayer, highlighting the believer's dependence on God and the earnestness of their petitions. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the act of beseeching or making earnest requests was a common practice, both in religious and secular contexts. People would often appeal to deities, rulers, or individuals of higher status for assistance or favor. In the Jewish tradition, prayer was a central aspect of religious life, and the use of "deomai" in the New Testament reflects this cultural emphasis on earnest supplication to God. HELPS Word-studies 1189 déomai (from the root deō, "having deep personal need, to be in want," see also 1162 /déēsis, "felt-need") – properly, to feel pressing need because of lack – hence, to make urgent appeal; to have deep personal need causing one to beseech (make earnest, specific request). [S. Zodihates (Dict) emphasizes the Gk middle voice meaning of this term, i.e. the personal, felt-need that drives 1189 (déomai). L-S and Thayer find deō expresses two distinct meanings in antiquity, perhaps indicating a distinction in accent (like with the English terms, pro'duce and prodúce).] Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1189: δέομαιδέομαι; 3 person singular imperfect ἐδητο (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 220; Winers Grammar, 46; (Veitch, under the word δέω to need at the end)), Luke 8:38 (where Lachmann ἐδηιτο, Tr WH ἐδεῖτο; cf. Meyer at the passage; (WHs Appendix, p. 166); Buttmann, 55 (48)); 1 aorist ἐδεήθην; (from δέω to want, need; whence middle δέομαι to stand in need of, want for oneself); (from Herodotus down); 1. to want, lack: τίνος. 2. to desire, long for: τίνος. 3. to ask, beg (German bitten); a. universally — the thing asked for being evident from the context: with the genitive of the person from whom, Galatians 4:12; the thing sought being specified in direct discourse: Luke 5:12; Luke 8:28; Luke 9:38 (according to the reading ἐπίβλεψον R L); Acts 8:34 (δέομαι σου, περί τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο; of whom, I pray thee, doth the prophet say this?); Acts 21:39; 2 Corinthians 5:20; followed by the infinitive, Luke 8:38; Luke 9:38 (according to the reading ἐπιβλέψαι Tr WH); Acts 26:3 (where G L T Tr WH omit σου after δέομαι); followed by ἵνα, Luke 9:40 (cf. Winers Grammar, 335 (315); (Buttmann, 258 (222))); followed by τό with an infinitive 2 Corinthians 10:2 (cf. Buttmann, 263 (226), 279 (239); Winer's Grammar, 321, 322 (301f)); with the genitive of person and the accusative of a thing, 2 Corinthians 8:4 (G L T Tr WH; for Rec. adds δέξασθαι ἡμᾶς without warrant) (cf. Buttmann, 164 (143); Winers Grammar, 198 (186)). b. specifically, of requests addressed to God; absolutely to pray, make supplication: Acts 4:31; τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 10:2; followed by εἰ ἄρα, Acts 8:22 (Buttmann, 256 (220); Winer's Grammar, 300 (282)); τοῦ κυρίου, ὅπως etc. Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; without the genitive Θεοῦ — followed by εἰ πῶς, Romans 1:10 (cf. Winers Grammar, and Buttmann's Grammar, the passages cited); by ἵνα, Luke 21:36; Luke 22:32; by the relic εἰς τό, 1 Thessalonians 3:10 (cf. Buttmann, 265 (228)); ὑπέρ τίνος πρός τόν κύριον, ὅπως, Acts 8:24. (Synonyms: see αἰτέω and δέησις. Compare: προσδέομαι.) STRONGS NT 1189a: δέοςδέος, δέους, τό (δείδω) (from Homer down), fear, awe: μετά εὐλαβείας καί δέους, Hebrews 12:28 L T Tr WH. Middle voice of deo; to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. Petition -- beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare punthanomai. see GREEK deo see GREEK punthanomai Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:38 V-AMP-2PGRK: δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ NAS: Therefore beseech the Lord KJV: Pray ye therefore the Lord INT: pray earnestly to therefore the Luke 5:12 V-AIP-3S Luke 8:28 V-PIM/P-1S Luke 8:38 V-IIM/P-3S Luke 9:38 V-PIM/P-1S Luke 9:40 V-AIP-1S Luke 10:2 V-AMP-2P Luke 21:36 V-PPM/P-NMP Luke 22:32 V-AIP-1S Acts 4:31 V-APP-GMP Acts 8:22 V-AMP-2S Acts 8:24 V-AMP-2P Acts 8:34 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 10:2 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 21:39 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 26:3 V-PIM/P-1S Romans 1:10 V-PPM/P-NMS 2 Corinthians 5:20 V-PIM/P-1P 2 Corinthians 8:4 V-PPM/P-NMP 2 Corinthians 10:2 V-PIM/P-1S Galatians 4:12 V-PIM/P-1S 1 Thessalonians 3:10 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 1189 |