δουλεύω (G1398) — Greek Lexicon

δουλεύω

douleúō

G1398 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To serve as a slave or bondservant; to be subject to the control, authority, or will of another, performing duties owed to a master. The verb primarily denotes the condition or action of being enslaved, whether as a literal slave, as in social or household servitude, or figuratively, describing thorough devotion, submission, or service to a person, authority, power, or even an abstract principle (such as sin, righteousness, or God). In extended senses, it can indicate strong attachment or yielding of oneself in loyalty or obedience.

Semantic Range

to serve as a slave, to be enslaved, to perform duties as a bondservant, to be in bondage, to submit to the will or dominion of another, to serve (God, sin, people, or powers), to be devoted or attached in servitude

Root / Etymology

From the noun δοῦλος (slave, bondservant) with the verbal ending -εύω, forming a verb that expresses the condition or action of being a δοῦλος, i.e., to perform the role or duties of a slave.

Historical & Contextual Notes

δουλεύω is widely attested in classical Greek with the concrete sense of being or acting as a slave, signifying both the social/legal status and the existential condition of subjection. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term frequently carries both literal and metaphorical implications. Literal use refers to the everyday servitude found throughout Greco-Roman society. Figuratively, the verb often denotes subordinating oneself to a cause, power, or spiritual authority, such as sin (e.g., Rom 6:6), righteousness (Rom 6:18), God (Rom 12:11), or other forms of submission or allegiance. The term does not inherently carry the idea of voluntary or noble service (unlike διακονέω, 'to minister, serve'), but rather emphasizes subjection, often involuntary, to another's will. In Septuagint usage, δουλεύω often translates Hebrew עב״ד, 'to serve,' including social, cultic, and metaphoric domains. English translations as 'serve' or 'be enslaved' do not always capture the weight of subjection implied. The semantic field includes both literal bondage and strong figurative submission, and context is essential for determining nuance.

Translation Consistency

primary "serve" 25 occurrences

'Serve' is the most natural, common, and flexible English rendering for δουλεύω across its literal and figurative uses (to be a slave, to be in bondage, to perform duties, or to be devoted/subject to someone or something). It matches the majority of existing translations and can be consistently inflected (serve/serves/served/serving) for all SIDANCE forms while keeping text natural and readable.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δοῦλος; to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):--be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice).

Root Family

δουλεύω (douleuō) — to serve as a slave, to be in bondage, to be subject to authority

Root δουλ- to serve as a slave, to be in bondage, to be subject to authority

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1398-03`	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave	8
`G1398-08`	δουλεύοντες	douleuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	serving	serving as slaves	serving as slaves	3
`G1398-04`	δουλεύετε	douleuete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	serve	Serve as slaves	serve as slaves	2
`G1398-06`	δουλεύω	douleuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I-serve	I serve as a slave	I serve as a slave	2
`G1398-07`	δουλεύων	douleuon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	serves	serving as a slave	serving as a slave	2
`G1398-09`	δουλεύουσιν	douleuousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	serve	they are enslaved	they serve as slaves	1
`G1398-13`	ἐδούλευσεν	edouleusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he served	he served as a slave	he served as a slave	1
`G1398-12`	ἐδουλεύσατε	edouleusate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you served	you served as slaves	you served as slaves	1
`G1398-10`	δουλεύσει	douleusei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	shall serve	he/she/it will serve as a slave	will serve as a slave	1
`G1398-05`	δουλευέτωσαν	douleuetosan	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL`	serve	let them serve as slaves	let them serve as slaves	1
`G1398-01`	δεδουλεύκαμεν	dedouleukamen	`V PRF ACT IND 1P PL`	we have served	we have served as slaves	we have served as slaves	1
`G1398-11`	δουλεύσωσιν	douleusosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	they serve as slaves	they might serve as slaves	they might serve as slaves	1
`G1398-02`	δουλεύει	douleuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	is in slavery	is serving as a slave	is serving as a slave	1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1398-03`	Matthew 6:24	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-03`	Matthew 6:24	δουλεύειν	douleuein-2	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-06`	Luke 15:29	δουλεύω	douleuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I-serve	I serve as a slave	I serve as a slave
`G1398-03`	Luke 16:13	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-03`	Luke 16:13	δουλεύειν	douleuein-2	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-01`	John 8:33	δεδουλεύκαμεν	dedouleukamen	`V PRF ACT IND 1P PL`	we have served	we have served as slaves	we have served as slaves
`G1398-11`	Acts 7:7	δουλεύσωσιν	douleusosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	they serve as slaves	they might serve as slaves	they might serve as slaves
`G1398-07`	Acts 20:19	δουλεύων	douleuon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	serving	serving as a slave	serving as a slave
`G1398-03`	Romans 6:6	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-03`	Romans 7:6	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	we serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-06`	Romans 7:25	δουλεύω	douleuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	serve	I serve as a slave	I serve as a slave
`G1398-10`	Romans 9:12	δουλεύσει	douleusei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	shall serve	he/she/it will serve as a slave	will serve as a slave
`G1398-08`	Romans 12:11	δουλεύοντες	douleuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	serving	serving as slaves	serving as slaves
`G1398-07`	Romans 14:18	δουλεύων	douleuon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	serves	serving as a slave	serving as a slave
`G1398-09`	Romans 16:18	δουλεύουσιν	douleuousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	serve	they are enslaved	they serve as slaves
`G1398-12`	Galatians 4:8	ἐδουλεύσατε	edouleusate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you served	you served as slaves	you served as slaves
`G1398-03`	Galatians 4:9	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to be in bondage	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-02`	Galatians 4:25	δουλεύει	douleuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	is in slavery	is serving as a slave	is serving as a slave
`G1398-04`	Galatians 5:13	δουλεύετε	douleuete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	serve	Serve as slaves	serve as slaves
`G1398-08`	Ephesians 6:7	δουλεύοντες	douleuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	serving	serving as slaves	serving as slaves
`G1398-13`	Philippians 2:22	ἐδούλευσεν	edouleusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he served	he served as a slave	he served as a slave
`G1398-04`	Colossians 3:24	δουλεύετε	douleuete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	you serve	Serve as slaves	serve as slaves
`G1398-03`	1 Thessalonians 1:9	δουλεύειν	douleuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to serve	to serve as a slave	to serve as a slave
`G1398-05`	1 Timothy 6:2	δουλευέτωσαν	douleuetosan	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL`	serve	let them serve as slaves	let them serve as slaves
`G1398-08`	Titus 3:3	δουλεύοντες	douleuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	serving	serving as slaves	serving as slaves

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