εὐλάβεια
eulábeia
G2124 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An attitude or disposition of cautious respect, veneration, or reverence, especially in relation to the divine or sacred matters; a conscientious carefulness in approaching or performing religious duties. In broader usage, it can denote a sense of awe, caution, or, at times, fearful respect.
Semantic Range
carefulness, caution, circumspection, reverence (esp. religious), piety, devoutness, awe, respectful fear
Root / Etymology
From εὐλαβής (eūlabēs, 'cautious, reverent'), which itself derives from εὖ (well) + λαμβάνω (to take, to grasp); literally, 'taking well' or 'handling rightly with care.' εὐλάβεια thus develops the sense of carefulness toward what is sacred or toward proper conduct in a religious context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, εὐλάβεια signified a quality of caution, circumspection, or carefulness, often outside religious context (e.g., prudent caution in daily affairs). By the Hellenistic and Koine period, especially in philosophical and religious literature, it became associated more specifically with respect, reverence, or piety, particularly toward the divine, holy things, or religious obligations. In the Septuagint and New Testament, εὐλάβεια typically refers to the proper reverential attitude toward God, sometimes translated as 'godliness,' 'reverence,' or 'devoutness.' However, these English renderings may not fully reflect the aspect of careful, conscientious approach to religious matters encompassed by the term. εὐλάβεια is distinct from φόβος (phobos, fear), which carries a stronger sense of emotional fear, whereas εὐλάβεια emphasizes respect, mindfulness, and careful observance. The term appears in philosophical contexts as well to depict moral or ethical caution. Standard English translations often narrow the nuance to 'fear' or 'piety,' underrepresenting the full connotation of careful, devoted reverence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εὐλαβής; properly, caution, i.e. (religiously) reverence (piety); by implication, dread (concretely):--fear(-ed).
Root Family
εὐλάβεια (eulabeia) — carefulness, caution, reverence, piety, respectful fear
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2124-01 |
εὐλαβείας | eulabeias | N GEN F SG |
reverence | of reverent carefulness | reverent carefulness | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2124-01 |
Hebrews 5:7 | εὐλαβείας | eulabeias | N GEN F SG |
reverence | of reverent carefulness | reverent carefulness |
G2124-01 |
Hebrews 12:28 | εὐλαβείας | eulabeias | N GEN F SG |
reverence | of reverent carefulness | reverent carefulness |