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εὐχαριστέω

eucharistéō

G2168 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To express gratitude or give thanks; in biblical contexts, denotes the act of acknowledging favor or benefits received, often directed toward a deity. The primary sense is to demonstrate thankfulness, typically through verbal expression or prayer. Secondary senses include offering praise or appreciation, especially in communal or liturgical settings.

Semantic Range

to express gratitude, to offer thanks, to acknowledge favor, to say grace (in context of meals), to give praise in thanksgiving

Root / Etymology

From the adjective εὐχάριστος ('grateful, thankful'), which is derived from the root εὐ- ('good, well') and χάρις ('favor, grace, kindness'). The verb εὐχαριστέω thus means 'to show oneself thankful' or 'to express gratitude for favor or kindness received.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐχαριστέω is rare, but in Hellenistic and Koine usage (notably in the Septuagint and New Testament), it becomes an established term for expressing gratitude, especially in religious contexts. In the New Testament, εὐχαριστέω is frequently used of giving thanks to God, often in the context of prayer (e.g., before meals, during worship, or when recounting divine acts). The term forms the basis for the later Christian liturgical term 'Eucharist,' though this specific usage as the name for the communal meal is a development not explicit within the New Testament texts themselves. English translations often render the word as 'give thanks' or 'thank,' which generally captures the primary meaning, although the depth of the gratitude and its formalized liturgical use may be less apparent. Usage in the LXX also reflects giving thanks to God, aligning with the Hebrew term יָדָה (yadah, 'to praise, thank'). While εὐχαριστέω can refer to gratitude towards humans or deities, in the context of the New Testament, it almost exclusively refers to thanksgiving directed to God. The sense 'say grace at a meal' is derived from narrative context in gospel accounts (e.g., Jesus giving thanks before breaking bread) and is not the inherent meaning of the verb itself.

Translation Consistency

primary "thank" 33 occurrences

εὐχαριστέω primarily means to express gratitude or to give thanks. The single-word verb “thank” most naturally and directly captures that core sense in everyday English (covering “express gratitude,” “offer thanks,” and liturgical uses like saying grace). It is flexible for all inflected forms and avoids the ambiguity of using “give” alone, while aligning with common Bible-English idiom (“give thanks” can be rendered using forms of “thank”).

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"express gratitude" (3x) "expresses gratitude" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὐχάριστος; to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal:--(give) thank(-ful, -s).

Root Family

εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) — to be thankful, to give thanks, to express gratitude

Root εὐχαριστ- to be thankful, to give thanks, to express gratitude

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2168-10 εὐχαριστῶ eucharisto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I thank I give thanks I thank 10
G2168-07 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked 9
G2168-12 εὐχαριστοῦμεν eucharistoumen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL We give thanks we give thanks we thank 4
G2168-13 εὐχαριστοῦντες eucharistountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL giving thanks those giving thanks giving thanks 3
G2168-02 εὐχαριστεῖν eucharistein V PRS ACT INF to give thanks to express gratitude to express gratitude 2
G2168-01 εὐχαριστεῖ eucharistei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG gives thanks expresses gratitude expresses gratitude 2
G2168-11 εὐχαριστῶν euchariston V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG giving thanks giving thanks giving thanks 2
G2168-04 εὐχαριστεῖτε eucharisteite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL give thanks Keep expressing gratitude express gratitude 1
G2168-05 ηὐχαρίστησαν eucharistesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL give thanks they gave thanks they gave thanks 1
G2168-09 εὐχαριστηθῇ eucharistethe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG may be given may be thanked may be thanked 1

Occurrences in Scripture

38 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2168-07 Matthew 15:36 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-07 Matthew 26:27 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-07 Mark 8:6 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-07 Mark 14:23 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-11 Luke 17:16 εὐχαριστῶν euchariston V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG giving thanks giving thanks giving thanks
G2168-10 Luke 18:11 εὐχαριστῶ eucharisto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I thank I give thanks I thank
G2168-07 Luke 22:17 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG he gave thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-07 Luke 22:19 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-07 John 6:11 εὐχαριστήσας eucharistesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having given thanks having expressed gratitude having thanked
G2168-06 John 6:23 εὐχαριστήσαντος eucharistesantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG had given thanks of having given thanks having given thanks
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