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εὐδοκία

eudokía

G2107 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state or attitude of goodwill or favorable disposition; the enjoyment or delight one feels or expresses toward something or someone; also denotes favorable intention, good will, or gracious purpose, particularly in divine or official contexts. The term can refer either to subjective pleasure or delight, or to the benevolent will or favor extended to another. In specific contexts, it can also indicate the implementation of purpose or intention in a positive sense (e.g., 'good pleasure,' 'favor,' 'approval').

Semantic Range

goodwill, favor, delight, benevolent intention, gracious purpose, approval, good pleasure, satisfaction

Root / Etymology

From the root εὖ (well, good) and the base of δοκέω (to think, to seem); thus, originally connoting 'the state of thinking well (of someone or something),' or a favorable regard. This formation conveys both the internal attitude (delight, pleasure) and its outward expression (favor, goodwill).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐδοκία is rarely attested, but cognate forms such as εὐδοκέω ('to be well-pleased', 'to think well of') are more common, often with a sense of approval, pleasure, or satisfaction with someone or something. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (notably the Septuagint and New Testament), εὐδοκία acquires a specific technical sense in religious contexts, describing the favorable will or pleasure of a deity, most often God. It frequently indicates the divine disposition of favor toward individuals or groups. The so-called 'good will' or 'good pleasure' often connotes God's gracious intention or the resultant state of being in God's favor. The word is also used in a more general sense for human approval or delight, but by the New Testament period, it predominantly refers to the favorable will of God. English translations like 'good pleasure,' 'goodwill,' or 'favor' capture parts of the meaning, but sometimes obscure the sense of active purpose or intent. The related verb εὐδοκέω is commonly used in Hellenistic literature to signal divine or royal approval. Contrast with βούλημα (will, counsel, plan) or θέλημα (will, desire), which can refer more broadly to intentions, not always with the connotation of favor or pleasure.

Translation Consistency

primary "favor" 6 occurrences

“Favor” naturally covers goodwill, benevolent intention, approval, and delight; it fits both subjective pleasure and gracious purpose (especially divine favor) and is a common, natural English rendering in biblical contexts.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"goodwill" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed compound of εὖ and the base of δοκέω; satisfaction, i.e. (subjectively) delight, or (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose:--desire, good pleasure (will), X seem good.

Root Family

δοκ- (dógma) — to think, to suppose, to seem, to decree

Root δοκ- to seem good, to think well, to approve
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1378 δόγμα authoritative decree
G1380 δοκέω may seem
G1384 δόκιμος proven genuine ones
G1385 δοκός a supporting beam
G4328 προσδοκάω awaits expectantly

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2107-02 εὐδοκίαν eudokian N ACC F SG good pleasure benevolent favor benevolent favor 4
G2107-01 εὐδοκία eudokia N NOM F SG good pleasure goodwill goodwill 3
G2107-03 εὐδοκίας eudokias N GEN F SG good will of goodwill of favor 2

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2107-01 Matthew 11:26 εὐδοκία eudokia N NOM F SG good pleasure goodwill goodwill
G2107-03 Luke 2:14 εὐδοκίας eudokias N GEN F SG good will of goodwill of favor
G2107-01 Luke 10:21 εὐδοκία eudokia N NOM F SG it pleased goodwill goodwill
G2107-01 Romans 10:1 εὐδοκία eudokia N NOM F SG good pleasure goodwill goodwill
G2107-02 Ephesians 1:5 εὐδοκίαν eudokian N ACC F SG good pleasure benevolent favor benevolent favor
G2107-02 Ephesians 1:9 εὐδοκίαν eudokian N ACC F SG good pleasure benevolent favor benevolent favor
G2107-02 Philippians 1:15 εὐδοκίαν eudokian N ACC F SG goodwill benevolent favor benevolent favor
G2107-03 Philippians 2:13 εὐδοκίας eudokias N GEN F SG good pleasure of goodwill of favor
G2107-02 2 Thessalonians 1:11 εὐδοκίαν eudokian N ACC F SG desire benevolent favor benevolent favor
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