σεβάζομαι
sebázomai
G4573 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To show reverence or awe, to venerate; the act of expressing profound respect, especially in a religious context. In some contexts, specifically to worship or show pious devotion to a deity or object held sacred. Extended sense may include honoring something with deep respect and fear.
Semantic Range
to venerate; to revere; to worship (esp. in religious contexts); to show religious awe; to express profound respect with fear; to practice adoration
Root / Etymology
From σεβάζω (to feel awe or reverence), related to σέβομαι ('to venerate, revere'); ultimately connected to the root σεβ- indicating reverence or religious awe. The form is middle voice, indicating the subject's participation in the action. Connected also with Latin 'Sebastus' (Augustus) via the shared sense of reverence, but with native Greek development.
Historical & Contextual Notes
σεβάζομαι is a rare and elevated term, not commonly used in Classical Greek literature. In the New Testament, it occurs in Romans 1:25, where it denotes the act of rendering veneration or religious awe to created things rather than the divine. The verb conveys a sense of religiously charged reverence, often with undertones of fear or awe, stronger than simple 'respect'. It is related to but distinct from σέβομαι, which carries the sense of showing pious respect or devotion without the connotation of fear or astonishment. The term is less broadly used compared to σέβομαι, suggesting a more intense outward demonstration of veneration. In Septuagintal and Hellenistic texts, its use is rare and contextually linked to acts of cultic or idolatrous worship. Standard English translations ('worship', 'adore') capture part of the meaning, but do not always convey the nuance of fearful or awestruck reverence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice from a derivative of σέβομαι; to venerate, i.e. adore:--worship.
Root Family
σεβάζομαι (sebazomai) — to revere, to feel awe, to venerate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4573-01 |
ἐσεβάσθησαν | esebasthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
worshipped | they venerated | they venerated | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4573-01 |
Romans 1:25 | ἐσεβάσθησαν | esebasthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
worshipped | they venerated | they venerated |