εὐδοκέω
eudokéō
G2106 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take pleasure in, to approve, to be favorably disposed toward (someone or something). The word primarily denotes finding something pleasing, approving of it, or being willing for it to occur. In various contexts, it may imply choosing, being well-satisfied with, or consenting to an action or person.
Semantic Range
to take pleasure in, to approve, to consent or be willing, to choose with favor, to be delighted, to regard with satisfaction
Root / Etymology
From the adverb εὖ ('well') and the verb δοκέω ('to think, to seem'). The compound thus literally means 'to think well' of something or someone. Cognate nouns include εὐδοκία (good pleasure, approval).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, εὐδοκέω is rare, but it becomes more common in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in Jewish and Christian writings (e.g., the LXX and New Testament). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew roots expressing delight, approval, or favor (e.g., חָפֵץ, רָצָה). In the New Testament, it is often used of divine approval or pleasure—especially of God's favorable attitude toward individuals or actions (e.g., 'with whom I am well pleased' in descriptions of Jesus) or God's intention or will (e.g., Colossians 1:19). English translations frequently render it as 'to be well pleased,' 'to take pleasure,' 'to approve,' or 'to will,' but none of these fully capture its sense of both internal delight and active approval. The nuances of consent, choice, and pleasure can overlap depending on context. Its noun form εὐδοκία often refers to God's or a person's favorable will or good pleasure. Contrast with δοκέω alone (to seem, to think, to suppose), as εὐδοκέω involves active approval or delight, not mere opinion or impression.
Translation Consistency
εὐδοκέω most often means to take pleasure in or be well-pleased with someone or something. The base verb “please” naturally and idiomatically covers taking pleasure, being satisfied, and implicitly approving/consenting (e.g., “was pleased” / “is pleased”), matching common English renderings such as “was well pleased” while remaining simple and consistent across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εὖ and δοκέω; to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing):--think good, (be well) please(-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
Root Family
εὐδοκ- (eudokéō) — to take pleasure, to approve, to be willing, to be favorably disposed
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2106-07 |
εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was pleased | approved | it pleased | 6 |
G2106-02 |
εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well pleased | I took pleasure | I pleased | 5 |
G2106-04 |
εὐδόκησαν | eudokesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
have been pleased | they approved | they pleased | 2 |
G2106-06 |
εὐδόκησας | eudokesas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you took pleasure | you approved | you pleased | 2 |
G2106-09 |
εὐδοκοῦμεν | eudokoumen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
prefer | we take pleasure | we are well pleased | 2 |
G2106-01 |
εὐδοκεῖ | eudokei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
has pleasure | he/she takes pleasure | he/she takes pleasure | 1 |
G2106-03 |
ηὐδοκήσαμεν | eudokesamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
we thought good | we approved | we were pleased | 1 |
G2106-05 |
εὐδοκήσαντες | eudokesantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
took pleasure | having approved | having taken pleasure | 1 |
G2106-08 |
εὐδοκῶ | eudoko | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well content | I take pleasure | I take pleasure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
21 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2106-02 |
Matthew 3:17 | εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well pleased | I took pleasure | I pleased |
G2106-07 |
Matthew 12:18 | εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
is well pleased | approved | it pleased |
G2106-02 |
Matthew 17:5 | εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well pleased | I took pleasure | I pleased |
G2106-02 |
Mark 1:11 | εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well pleased | I took pleasure | I pleased |
G2106-02 |
Luke 3:22 | εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well pleased | I took pleasure | I pleased |
G2106-07 |
Luke 12:32 | εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
has chosen | approved | it pleased |
G2106-04 |
Romans 15:26 | εὐδόκησαν | eudokesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
have been pleased | they approved | they pleased |
G2106-04 |
Romans 15:27 | εὐδόκησαν | eudokesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they were pleased | they approved | they pleased |
G2106-07 |
1 Corinthians 1:21 | εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was well-pleased | approved | it pleased |
G2106-07 |
1 Corinthians 10:5 | ηὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was pleased | approved | it pleased |
G2106-09 |
2 Corinthians 5:8 | εὐδοκοῦμεν | eudokoumen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
prefer | we take pleasure | we are well pleased |
G2106-08 |
2 Corinthians 12:10 | εὐδοκῶ | eudoko | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I am well content | I take pleasure | I take pleasure |
G2106-07 |
Galatians 1:15 | εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was pleased | approved | it pleased |
G2106-07 |
Colossians 1:19 | εὐδόκησεν | eudokesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
it pleased | approved | it pleased |
G2106-09 |
1 Thessalonians 2:8 | εὐδοκοῦμεν | eudokoumen | V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL |
we were well pleased | we take pleasure | we are well pleased |
G2106-03 |
1 Thessalonians 3:1 | ηὐδοκήσαμεν | eudokesamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
we thought good | we approved | we were pleased |
G2106-05 |
2 Thessalonians 2:12 | εὐδοκήσαντες | eudokesantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
took pleasure | having approved | having taken pleasure |
G2106-06 |
Hebrews 10:6 | εὐδόκησας | eudokesas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you took pleasure | you approved | you pleased |
G2106-06 |
Hebrews 10:8 | εὐδόκησας | eudokesas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you took pleasure | you approved | you pleased |
G2106-01 |
Hebrews 10:38 | εὐδοκεῖ | eudokei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
has pleasure | he/she takes pleasure | he/she takes pleasure |
G2106-02 |
2 Peter 1:17 | εὐδόκησα | eudokesa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
have been well-pleased | I took pleasure | was well-pleased |