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εὐλαβής

eulabḗs

G2126 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, 'careful,' 'cautious,' or 'circumspect,' particularly in matters of behavior or religious observance; commonly used in Hellenistic and Koine contexts to denote someone who is reverent or pious, especially in relationship to established religious norms. In the New Testament and related literature, often refers to persons who are devout in the practice of their faith or attentive to religious obligations, with connotations of respect towards the divine or sacred duties.

Semantic Range

careful, cautious, circumspect, reverent, pious, devout (especially in religious conduct or attitude), showing awe or respect towards the divine

Root / Etymology

From the adverb εὖ ('well') and the verb λαμβάνω ('to take, to receive'), literally implying 'taking well' or 'handling carefully.' Formed by compounding these elements, the term thus conveys a sense of acting with care or caution.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek to describe general caution or prudence; in Hellenistic and Koine periods, came to be associated more specifically with religious observance and reverence. In the Septuagint and New Testament, εὐλαβής commonly describes individuals who display piety or devout practice, especially within the Judean or Israelite tradition. The nuance encompasses both external actions (observing ritual or ethical duties) and internal disposition (respect or awe towards the divine). English translations often render as 'devout,' 'reverent,' or 'godly,' but these may obscure the word's original sense of thoughtful or cautious comportment. The related noun εὐλάβεια refers to reverence, respect, or cautious fear. In non-religious Greek, the term can be found in reference to general caution or thoughtfulness, but in biblical contexts, it almost always bears a religious dimension.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὖ and λαμβάνω; taking well (carefully), i.e. circumspect (religiously, pious):--devout.

Root Family

εὐλαβής (eulabēs) — careful, cautious, reverent, pious, devout

Root εὐ-λαβ- to be careful, to act with caution, to show reverence

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2126-02 εὐλαβής eulabes ADJ.S NOM M SG devout a reverent man a reverent man 2
G2126-01 εὐλαβεῖς eulabeis ADJ.A NOM M PL devout reverent ones devout 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2126-02 Luke 2:25 εὐλαβής eulabes ADJ.S NOM M SG devout a reverent man devout
G2126-01 Acts 2:5 εὐλαβεῖς eulabeis ADJ.A NOM M PL devout reverent ones reverent ones
G2126-01 Acts 8:2 εὐλαβεῖς eulabeis ADJ.A NOM M PL devout reverent ones devout
G2126-02 Acts 22:12 εὐλαβὴς eulabes ADJ.A NOM M SG devout a reverent man a reverent man
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