εὐαρεστέω
euarestéō
G2100 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To please, to act in a manner that is fully acceptable or gratifying to another. In Koine Greek, especially in moral or religious contexts, refers to acting in a way that meets standards of approval or produces satisfaction in the one who is pleased (often used in relation to God, indicating behaviors or sacrifices accordant with divine will). The primary sense is to render satisfaction or pleasure, particularly through conduct or offerings.
Semantic Range
to please fully, to do what is fully acceptable, to gratify, to render pleasing (especially to God), to act in a manner deemed entirely acceptable
Root / Etymology
From εὐάρεστος (well-pleasing, acceptable), itself derived from εὖ ('well') + ἀρεσκω ('to please, to be pleasing'). εὐαρεστέω is the verbal form, meaning 'to make well-pleasing'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
εὐαρεστέω is a later and rare verb, mostly attested in Hellenistic and early Christian texts. It appears primarily in religious or ethical contexts, such as sacrifices or actions intended to be pleasing to God (e.g. Hebrews 11:5, 13:16). Unlike the more common ἀρέσκω, which generally means 'to please' in both neutral and positive senses, εὐαρεστέω emphasizes full or complete acceptability, particularly in the sense of moral or religious approval rather than simple satisfaction. In classical Greek, the adjective εὐάρεστος is seen, but the verb is rare outside Koine. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb is most often used to describe actions or offerings that are pleasing to God, not merely meeting requirements but being wholly acceptable; standard English translations like 'to please' or 'to be well-pleasing' match the sense but often lack the nuanced idea of full or complete approval. No substantial differences in sense between the Septuagint and New Testament uses have been observed; the term remains specialized within religious and moral discourse.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εὐάρεστος; to gratify entirely:--please (well).
Root Family
εὐαρεστ- (euarestéō) — to please, to act acceptably
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2100-01 |
εὐαρεστεῖται | euaresteitai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is pleased | is being well-pleased | is being well-pleased | 1 |
G2100-02 |
εὐαρεστῆσαι | euarestesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to please | to fully please | to fully please | 1 |
G2100-03 |
εὐηρεστηκέναι | euerestekenai | V PRF ACT INF |
that he pleased | to have fully pleased | to have fully pleased | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2100-03 |
Hebrews 11:5 | εὐηρεστηκέναι | euerestekenai | V PRF ACT INF |
that he pleased | to have fully pleased | to have fully pleased |
G2100-02 |
Hebrews 11:6 | εὐαρεστῆσαι | euarestesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to please | to fully please | to fully please |
G2100-01 |
Hebrews 13:16 | εὐαρεστεῖται | euaresteitai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is pleased | is being well-pleased | is being well-pleased |