ἐλπίζω
elpízō
G1679 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hope for, to anticipate with expectation; in various contexts, to expect or look forward with confidence or assurance, often with the implication of trust or reliance. The primary sense is active expectation of a future event, usually with a positive outlook, but can also imply reliance on another's promise, person, or outcome.
Semantic Range
to expect, to anticipate, to hope for, to trust or rely on, to look forward with confidence, to place one's hope in
Root / Etymology
From ἐλπίς (elpís), meaning 'hope' or 'expectation,' itself of uncertain origin; related to the Proto-Indo-European root *wel-/ *elb-, associated with turning or revolving, which conveys a sense of expectation or waiting. The verbal formation is a denominative from the noun ἐλπίς.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐλπίζω was used for both positive and negative expectations ('to hope' or 'to fear'), but by the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including in the New Testament and LXX, its usage becomes predominantly positive, focused on expectation of good or desired outcomes. In secular and biblical Greek, ἐλπίζω conveys more than mere wishful thinking; it often involves trust or reliance, sometimes on the divine, sometimes on individuals or circumstances. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to expectation or trust in God's actions or promises, sometimes rendered in English as 'to hope' or 'to trust.' English translations may obscure whether the focus is on the act of hoping or the object of hope, and occasionally fail to convey the verb's nuance of trust or assured expectation. Distinct from verbs like πιστεύω ('to believe') or θαρρέω ('to be confident'), ἐλπίζω relates intimately to the forward-looking character of expectation rather than present assurance. The noun ἐλπίς and verb ἐλπίζω show close semantic overlap but differ grammatically; the verb emphasizes the act of expecting, while the noun names the expectation itself.
Translation Consistency
Most natural, common English word matching the primary sense of ἐλπίζω — to expect/anticipate with confidence or trust. 'Hope' covers active expectation, looking forward, and placing trust in someone or something, and it matches the majority of existing renderings (hoping/hope/hoped). Using 'hope' ensures consistent, natural translations across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐλπίς; to expect or confide:--(have, thing) hope(-d) (for), trust.
Root Family
ἐλπ- (elpízō) — to hope, to expect, to anticipate
Word Forms
16 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1679-12 |
ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping | 10 |
G1679-09 |
ἐλπίζει | elpizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
does he hope for | he/she hopes | he/she hopes | 3 |
G1679-01 |
ἠλπίκαμεν | elpikamen | V PRF ACT IND 1P PL |
we have hoped | we have hoped | we have hoped | 2 |
G1679-06 |
ἐλπιοῦσιν | elpiousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
will hope | they will hope | they will hope | 2 |
G1679-13 |
ἠλπίζομεν | elpizomen | V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL |
hope | we were hoping | we hope | 2 |
G1679-15 |
ἐλπίζων | elpizon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
hoping | hoping | hoping | 2 |
G1679-02 |
ἠλπίκατε | elpikate | V PRF ACT IND 2P PL |
have set your hope | you have hoped | have hoped | 1 |
G1679-03 |
ἤλπικεν | elpiken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has hoped | has placed hope | has placed hope | 1 |
G1679-04 |
ἠλπικέναι | elpikenai | V PRF ACT INF |
to hope | to have hoped | to have hoped | 1 |
G1679-05 |
ἠλπικότες | elpikotes | V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
we have hoped | having hoped | having hoped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
31 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1679-06 |
Matthew 12:21 | ἐλπιοῦσιν | elpiousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
will hope | they will hope | they will hope |
G1679-11 |
Luke 6:34 | ἐλπίζετε | elpizete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you expect | you are hoping | you expect |
G1679-10 |
Luke 23:8 | ἤλπιζέν | elpizen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
he hoped | he was hoping | he was hoping |
G1679-13 |
Luke 24:21 | ἠλπίζομεν | elpizomen | V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL |
were hoping | we were hoping | we were hoping |
G1679-02 |
John 5:45 | ἠλπίκατε | elpikate | V PRF ACT IND 2P PL |
have set your hope | you have hoped | have hoped |
G1679-15 |
Acts 24:26 | ἐλπίζων | elpizon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
hoping | hoping | hoping |
G1679-09 |
Acts 26:7 | ἐλπίζει | elpizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
hope | he/she hopes | hopes |
G1679-09 |
Romans 8:24 | ἐλπίζει | elpizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
does he hope for | he/she hopes | he/she hopes |
G1679-13 |
Romans 8:25 | ἐλπίζομεν | elpizomen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
hope | we were hoping | we hope |
G1679-06 |
Romans 15:12 | ἐλπιοῦσιν | elpiousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
will hope | they will hope | they will hope |
G1679-12 |
Romans 15:24 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-09 |
1 Corinthians 13:7 | ἐλπίζει | elpizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
hopes | he/she hopes | he/she hopes |
G1679-05 |
1 Corinthians 15:19 | ἠλπικότες | elpikotes | V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
we have hoped | having hoped | having hoped |
G1679-12 |
1 Corinthians 16:7 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-01 |
2 Corinthians 1:10 | ἠλπίκαμεν | elpikamen | V PRF ACT IND 1P PL |
we have hoped | we have hoped | we have hoped |
G1679-12 |
2 Corinthians 1:13 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-12 |
2 Corinthians 5:11 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-07 |
2 Corinthians 8:5 | ἠλπίσαμεν | elpisamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
we hoped | we were hoping | we hoped |
G1679-12 |
2 Corinthians 13:6 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I trust | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-12 |
Philippians 2:19 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-12 |
Philippians 2:23 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-15 |
1 Timothy 3:14 | ἐλπίζων | elpizon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
hoping | hoping | hoping |
G1679-01 |
1 Timothy 4:10 | ἠλπίκαμεν | elpikamen | V PRF ACT IND 1P PL |
we have hoped | we have hoped | we have hoped |
G1679-03 |
1 Timothy 5:5 | ἤλπικεν | elpiken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has hoped | has placed hope | has placed hope |
G1679-04 |
1 Timothy 6:17 | ἠλπικέναι | elpikenai | V PRF ACT INF |
to hope | to have hoped | to have hoped |
G1679-12 |
Philemon 1:22 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-14 |
Hebrews 11:1 | ἐλπιζομένων | elpizomenon | V PRS PASS PTCP GEN N PL |
hoped for | of things being hoped for | of things being hoped for |
G1679-08 |
1 Peter 1:13 | ἐλπίσατε | elpisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
hope | Place your hope | place your hope |
G1679-16 |
1 Peter 3:5 | ἐλπίζουσαι | elpizousai | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL |
hoping | hoping | hoping |
G1679-12 |
2 John 1:12 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |
G1679-12 |
3 John 1:14 | ἐλπίζω | elpizo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I hope | I am hoping | I am hoping |