εἰρηνεύω
eirēneúō
G1514 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To live or act in peace; to be in a state of tranquility or concord with others, to maintain harmonious relations. In extended contexts, it can refer to keeping or making peace (often in the sense of reconciliation), ensuring social harmony, or living in concord within a community or with specific individuals. The primary sense centers on the condition or act of being at peace, either internally or within social relations.
Semantic Range
to live in peace, to act peacefully, to keep peace, to be reconciled, to dwell harmoniously, to promote harmony, to cease or avoid conflict
Root / Etymology
From εἰρήνη (peace, tranquility, harmony), suffixed with the verbal stem -εύω, forming denominative verbs meaning 'to be or act as [noun].' Thus, εἰρηνεύω means 'to act as peace' or 'to behave peacefully.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically rare, εἰρηνεύω is found more frequently in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, where it is often used in the imperative to exhort living in peace (e.g., Mark 9:50; Romans 12:18). Its meaning overlaps with verbs like διαλλάσσω (to reconcile), but εἰρηνεύω focuses on the state or ongoing practice of living in peace rather than a one-time act of reconciliation. The Septuagint sometimes uses εἰρηνεύω to translate the Hebrew שָׁלוֹם verb forms (from שָׁלַם, "to be complete, to be at peace"), emphasizing community harmony or cessation of conflict. Standard English translations ('be at peace,' 'live peaceably') capture the basic sense but may not fully reflect the nuance of active pursuit of harmonious relationships in a collective context, as implied in some Greek uses. The concept participates in a wider Greco-Roman discourse on civic concord and the ideal of a tranquil society.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εἰρήνη; to be (act) peaceful:--be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably.
Root Family
εἰρηνεύω (eirēneuō) — to be at peace, to live in harmony, to maintain peaceful relations
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1514-01 |
εἰρηνεύετε | eireneuete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be at peace | Live in peace | live in peace | 3 |
G1514-02 |
εἰρηνεύοντες | eireneuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
being at peace | living in peace | living in peace | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1514-01 |
Mark 9:50 | εἰρηνεύετε | eireneuete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be at peace | Live in peace | be at peace |
G1514-02 |
Romans 12:18 | εἰρηνεύοντες | eireneuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
being at peace | living in peace | living in peace |
G1514-01 |
2 Corinthians 13:11 | εἰρηνεύετε | eireneuete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
live in peace | Live in peace | live in peace |
G1514-01 |
1 Thessalonians 5:13 | εἰρηνεύετε | eireneuete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be at peace | Live in peace | live in peace |