δέω

déō

G1210 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To tie, bind, or fasten with physical or figurative constraints. At its core, δέω indicates the act of binding with rope, cords, or similar means—either literally (to fasten together, tie up, chain, fetter) or figuratively (to restrain, confine obligations, or establish a legal, moral, or spiritual bond or duty). In legal and metaphorical contexts, it extends to 'binding' someone with laws, oaths, or conditions, or to being 'bound' by duty or necessity.

Semantic Range

to tie together, bind with rope or chains, fetter, bind up (wounds), bind (by oath or legal means), restrict, impose duty or obligation, restrict metaphorically, to unite closely (e.g., in friendship or affection), to fetter (spiritually or morally)

Root / Etymology

From the root δέ-, which concerns fastening or binding. There is no clear evidence for derivation from non-Greek sources; it is widely attested in early Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δέω is used for literal tying or fastening (e.g., of ships, sandals, prisoners). Homer and later authors employ it widely both physically and, by extension, for metaphorical 'bonds'—as in friendship or fate. In Hellenistic and Koine, including the Septuagint and New Testament, usages expand to include formal or legal binding (e.g., obligations, laws, binding with oaths). In the NT, δέω is frequently used for binding as a judicial act (binding a prisoner or someone with chains) and in metaphorical senses—for example, 'binding' sins (Matthew 16:19: "whatever you bind on earth"). The English tradition of translating δέω as "bind" or "be in bonds" generally covers core senses, but may underrepresent its broader metaphorical or legal force. Not to be confused with δεῖ ('it is necessary, must'), nor with δέομαι ('to beg, entreat'), though all share similar roots.

Translation Consistency

primary "bind" 25 occurrences

δέω primarily means to tie or fasten—literally to bind with rope or chains and figuratively to restrain, obligate, or establish a legal/moral bond. “Bind” is the natural, broad English verb that covers the full typical semantic range (literal fettering, binding obligations, and figurative restriction) and will read naturally in varied contexts.

Alternatives (126 occurrences):
"necessary" (64x) "bound" (15x) "having been bound" (10x) "having bound" (5x) "beg" (5x) "pray" (4x) "them, having been bound" (4x) "praying" (3x) "ought" (3x) "on" (1x) "tied" (1x) "saying" (1x) "begging" (1x) "begged" (1x) "prayed" (1x) "those having prayed" (1x) "beseech" (1x) "pleading" (1x) "plead" (1x) "imploring" (1x) "urge" (1x) "things that are proper" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also δεῖ, δέομαι.

Root Family

δέω (deō) — to bind, to tie, to fasten

Root δεω to bind, to tie, to fasten

Word Forms

36 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1210-15 δεῖ dei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG must it is binding it is necessary 78
G1210-17 δέομαί deomai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I beg I bind myself I beg 7
G1210-05 δεδεμένον dedemenon V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG tied having been bound having been bound 6
G1210-06 δεδεμένος dedemenos V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG bound having been bound having been bound 4
G1210-07 δεδεμένους dedemenous V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL bound having been bound them, having been bound 4
G1210-36 ἔδησεν edesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG bound he bound he bound 4
G1210-18 δεόμενοι deomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL praying binding themselves praying 3
G1210-16 δεῖν dein V PRS ACT INF it necessary to bind it is necessary 3
G1210-24 δήσαντες desantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having bound having bound having bound 3
G1210-13 δεήθητε deethete V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL pray be bound pray 3

Occurrences in Scripture

151 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1210-13 Matthew 9:38 δεήθητε deethete V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL beseech be bound pray
G1210-27 Matthew 12:29 δήσῃ dese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he binds he might bind he might bind
G1210-26 Matthew 13:30 δήσατε desate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL bind Bind! Bind
G1210-36 Matthew 14:3 ἔδησεν edesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG bound he bound he bound
G1210-28 Matthew 16:19 δήσῃς deses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG you bind you may bind on
G1210-05 Matthew 16:19 δεδεμένον dedemenon V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG bound having been bound having been bound
G1210-15 Matthew 16:21 δεῖ dei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG must it is binding it is necessary
G1210-15 Matthew 17:10 δεῖ dei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG must it is binding it is necessary
G1210-29 Matthew 18:18 δήσητε desete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you bind you may bind you may bind
G1210-03 Matthew 18:18 δεδεμένα dedemena V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N PL bound having been bound having been bound