Strong's Lexicon mnésteuó: To betroth, to engage Original Word: μνηστεύω Word Origin: From a derivative of the Greek word μνάομαι (mnaomai), meaning "to remember" or "to be mindful." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of betrothal in the Hebrew Bible is often associated with the Hebrew word אָרַשׂ (aras), which also means to betroth or engage. Usage: The verb μνηστεύω refers to the act of betrothing or engaging someone to be married. In the New Testament context, it describes the formal agreement or promise of marriage, which was a binding contract in Jewish culture, often more binding than modern-day engagements. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Jewish culture, betrothal was a significant and binding agreement, often arranged by the families of the bride and groom. It was more formal than a modern engagement and required a legal divorce to break. The betrothal period typically lasted about a year, during which the couple was considered legally married, though they did not live together or consummate the marriage until the wedding ceremony. This period allowed the groom to prepare a home for his bride and the bride to prepare for her new life. HELPS Word-studies 3423 mnēsteúō – originally, "to woo and win; espouse, then to promise in marriage, betroth" (Abbott-Smith); to espouse; betroth. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mnaomai (in the sense of to court a bride) Definition to espouse, betroth NASB Translation betrothed (1), engaged (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3423: μνηστεύωμνηστεύω: passive, perfect participle μεμνηστευμενος (R G) and ἐμνηστευμενος (L T Tr WH) (cf. Winers Grammar, § 12, 10; Veitch, under the word; Tdf. Proleg., p. 121); 1 aorist participle μνηστευθεις; (μνηστός betrothed, espoused); from Homer down; the Sept. for אֵרֵשׂ; τινα (γυναῖκα), to woo her and ask her in marriage; passive to be promised in marriage, be betrothed: τίνι, Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27; Luke 2:5. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance espouse. From a derivative of mnaomai; to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. Betroth -- espouse. see GREEK mnaomai Forms and Transliterations εμνηστευμενη ἐμνηστευμένῃ εμνηστευμενην ἐμνηστευμένην μεμνηστευμένη μεμνηστευμένην μεμνήστευται Μνηστευθεισης Μνηστευθείσης μνηστεύσομαί emnesteumene emnēsteumenē emnesteuménei emnēsteuménēi emnesteumenen emnesteuménen emnēsteumenēn emnēsteuménēn Mnesteutheises Mnesteutheíses Mnēsteutheisēs MnēsteutheísēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 1:18 V-APP-GFSGRK: οὕτως ἦν Μνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς NAS: Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, KJV: Mary was espoused to Joseph, INT: thus came about having been betrothed the mother Luke 1:27 V-RPM/P-AFS Luke 2:5 V-RPM/P-DFS Strong's Greek 3423 |