Berean Strong's Lexicon eleutheros: Free, free man, free woman Original Word: ἐλεύθερος Word Origin: Derived from a primary word (erchomai, meaning "to come" or "to go") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of freedom in the Hebrew Bible is often expressed with words like חָפְשִׁי (chofshi, Strong's H2670) meaning "free" or "liberated," and דְּרוֹר (deror, Strong's H1865) meaning "liberty" or "release." Usage: The Greek word "eleutheros" primarily denotes the state of being free, as opposed to being a slave or in bondage. It is used in the New Testament to describe both physical freedom from slavery and spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. The term emphasizes the liberty that comes through Christ, highlighting the contrast between the old life under the law and the new life in the Spirit. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of freedom was highly valued, especially in contrast to slavery, which was a common institution. A "free" person had rights and privileges that slaves did not possess. In the Jewish context, freedom also had a spiritual dimension, often associated with liberation from oppression and the fulfillment of God's promises. The New Testament writers, particularly Paul, used this cultural understanding to convey the deeper spiritual freedom found in Christ. HELPS Word-studies 1658 eleútheros (an adjective) – properly, free (liberated), unbound (unshackled); (figuratively) free to realize one's destiny in Christ. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition free, i.e. not a slave or not under restraint NASB Translation exempt (1), free (12), free man (2), free men (3), free woman (4), freeman (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1658: ἐλεύθεροςἐλεύθερος, ἐλευθέρα, ἐλεύθερον (ἘΛΑΥΘΩ equivalent to ἔρχομαι (so Curtius, p. 497, after Etym. Magn. 329, 43; Suidas col. 1202 a., Gaisf. edition; but others besides, cf. Vanicek, p. 61); hence, properly, one who can go whither he pleases) (from Homer down), the Sept. for חָפְשִׁי, free; 1. freeborn; in a civil sense, one who is not a slave: John 8:33; 1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:18; feminine, Galatians 4:22f, 30f. (opposed to ἡ παιδίσκη); of one who ceases to be a slave, freed, manumitted: γίνεσθαι ἐλεύθερον, 1 Corinthians 7:21. 2. free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by an obligation: 1 Corinthians 9:1; ἐκ πάντων (see ἐκ, I. 6 at the end), 1 Corinthians 9:19; ἀπό τίνος, free from i. e. no longer under obligation to, so that one may now do what was formerly forbidden by the person or thing to which he was bound, Romans 7:3 (cf. Winers Grammar, 196f (185); Buttmann, 157f (138), 269 (231)); followed by an infinitive (Winers Grammar, 319 (299); Buttmann, 260 (224)), ἐλευθέρα ἐστιν ... γαμηθῆναι she is free to be married, has liberty to marry, 1 Corinthians 7:39; exempt from paying tribute or tax, Matthew 17:26. 3. in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic law, Galatians 4:26; 1 Peter 2:16; from the bondage of sin, John 8:36; left to one's own will and pleasure, with the dative of respect, τῇ δικαιοσύνη, so far as relates to righteousness, as respects righteousness, Romans 6:20 (Winers Grammar, § 31, 1 k.; Buttmann, § 133, 12). Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability) -- free (man, woman), at liberty. see GREEK erchomai Englishman's Concordance Matthew 17:26 Adj-NMPGRK: Ἰησοῦς Ἄρα¦γε ἐλεύθεροί εἰσιν οἱ NAS: to him, Then the sons are exempt. KJV: are the children free. INT: Jesus Then indeed free are the John 8:33 Adj-NMP John 8:36 Adj-NMP Romans 6:20 Adj-NMP Romans 7:3 Adj-NFS 1 Corinthians 7:21 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 7:22 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 7:39 Adj-NFS 1 Corinthians 9:1 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 9:19 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 12:13 Adj-NMP Galatians 3:28 Adj-NMS Galatians 4:22 Adj-GFS Galatians 4:23 Adj-GFS Galatians 4:26 Adj-NFS Galatians 4:30 Adj-GFS Galatians 4:31 Adj-GFS Ephesians 6:8 Adj-NMS Colossians 3:11 Adj-NMS 1 Peter 2:16 Adj-NMP Revelation 6:15 Adj-NMS Revelation 13:16 Adj-AMP Revelation 19:18 Adj-GMP Strong's Greek 1658 |