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βούλημα

boúlēma

G1013 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A determination, resolution, or intention; specifically, a considered decision or settled purpose of the mind. In various contexts, it refers to the act of willing, an intention, a plan, or a specific aim arising from deliberation. Occasionally, it denotes the result of such a resolve, i.e., a resolved purpose.

Semantic Range

a considered will, intention, purpose, resolve, plan, a decision after deliberation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb βούλομαι ('to wish, will, intend, decide after consideration'), with the nominal suffix -μα indicating the result of an action. Thus, βούλημα is 'that which is willed' or 'resolved' after deliberation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βούλημα appears infrequently, mostly denoting a considered will or purpose, distinguishing it from more general words for will such as θέλημα (which can imply a spontaneous desire or wish). In the Hellenistic period, especially in philosophical and legal writings, βούλημα emphasizes a will or decision reached after deliberation, underscoring intentionality and rationale. In the Septuagint and New Testament usage, βούλημα often describes the purposeful intention or will of a person or deity (e.g., 'the will of God'), with nuance indicating not just subjective desire, but a formulated purpose involving reflection or counsel. Standard English translations (e.g., 'purpose,' 'intention,' 'plan') sometimes fail to convey the deliberative aspect inherent in the term. While θέλημα (G2307) can have a broader sense from wish to will, βούλημα is narrower, focusing on clarified and resolved intent. Not common in early Greek literature; more prominent in Koine and later writings as a technical term denoting purposeful resolve.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from βούλομαι; a resolve:--purpose, will.

Root Family

βουλ- (bouleutḗs) — to counsel, to deliberate, to plan

Root βουλ- to will, to deliberate, to intend
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1010 βουλευτής council member
G1011 βουλεύω I deliberate for myself
G1012 βουλή deliberate intentions
G1014 βούλομαι you are intending
G2103 Εὔβουλος Eubulus

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1013-01 βούλημα boulema N ACC N SG desire deliberate purpose deliberate purpose 1
G1013-02 βουλήματι boulemati N DAT N SG will to a resolved purpose to a resolved purpose 1
G1013-03 βουλήματος boulematos N GEN N SG purpose of a resolved purpose of a resolved purpose 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1013-03 Acts 27:43 βουλήματος boulematos N GEN N SG purpose of a resolved purpose of a resolved purpose
G1013-02 Romans 9:19 βουλήματι boulemati N DAT N SG will to a resolved purpose to a resolved purpose
G1013-01 1 Peter 4:3 βούλημα boulema N ACC N SG desire deliberate purpose deliberate purpose
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