φυλάσσεσθαι

phylássō

to keep themselves

To keep watch over, guard, protect. Primary meaning is to act as a guard or sentinel, watching to prevent harm, loss, or intrusion. By extension, to preserve, keep safe, maintain a state, observe carefully (e.g., laws, instructions), abstain from something considered dangerous, or avoid. In some contexts, used of keeping a commandment or tradition, or guarding oneself from wrong or danger.

G5442

Acts 21:25 · Word #9

Lexicon G5442

Lemmaφυλάσσω
Transliterationphylássō
Strong'sG5442
DefinitionTo keep watch over, guard, protect. Primary meaning is to act as a guard or sentinel, watching to prevent harm, loss, or intrusion. By extension, to preserve, keep safe, maintain a state, observe carefully (e.g., laws, instructions), abstain from something considered dangerous, or avoid. In some contexts, used of keeping a commandment or tradition, or guarding oneself from wrong or danger.

Morphology V PRS MID INF All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense PRS — Present — Ongoing or repeated action
Voice MID — Middle — The subject acts on itself or in its own interest
Mood INF — Infinitive — The verbal idea without person/number

Common Translation

Phraseto keep themselves
Literalto-guard-themselves

Lexical Info

Lemmaφυλάσσω
Strong'sG5442

SIBI-P1 Translation G5442-07

to guard oneself

Morphological NotesVerb, present tense, middle voice, infinitive; denotes ongoing or continuous action with reflexive/self-interest nuance.
Rendering RationaleThe present tense expresses ongoing action, and the middle voice conveys reflexive or self-involving action. "To guard oneself" preserves the core φυλ- idea of vigilant protection while reflecting the middle infinitive form.

View full lexicon entry for G5442 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

to guard oneself

Same as P1Yes
RationaleP1 'to guard oneself' reflects Greek middle voice and context (gentile believers guarding themselves from defilement).
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