χρῄζω (G5535) — Greek Lexicon

χρῄζω

chrḗizō

G5535 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To have need of, to require, to be in want of something. The verb expresses a sense of lacking a necessity or experiencing deficiency, and thus actively requiring or longing for something. In broader contexts, it can indicate dependence on or necessity for something or someone.

Semantic Range

to need, to be in want of, to require, to be dependent on, to experience lack or necessity

Root / Etymology

From the noun χρεία ('need, necessity, requirement'), derived from the root χρῄ- with the sense of 'to have use or need of.' The formation suggests a verbal development from a noun indicating necessity to a verb denoting to experience necessity or require.

Historical & Contextual Notes

χρῄζω is predominantly found in Hellenistic and Koine Greek and is relatively rare in classical sources. In the New Testament, it usually occurs in constructions expressing personal or communal need (e.g., 'have need of', 'be in need'). The verb often takes the genitive of the thing needed or an accusative object and is closely related in meaning to δεῖ (to be necessary), though χρῄζω emphasizes subjective experience of deficiency or want rather than objective requirement. In the Septuagint and other Koine sources, it generally covers ordinary and practical needs (food, support, resources). Unlike stronger verbs such as ἐπιθυμέω ('to desire, long for'), χρῄζω conveys a practical or existential necessity. English translations commonly use 'have need (of)' or 'be in need of,' but these can sometimes underrepresent the experiential or existential nuance present in Greek usage. There is no specialized theological sense for χρῄζω in the New Testament or LXX.

Translation Consistency

primary "need" 5 occurrences

'Need' best captures the typical semantic range — to lack something and require it, to be dependent on or in want of — while being natural English. It is the most frequent rendering in the data and fits both transitive and intransitive uses better than more formal alternatives like 'require' or ambiguous ones like 'want.' Using 'need' ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms of G5535.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from χρεία; to make (i.e. have) necessity, i.e. be in want of:--(have) need.

Root Family

χρῄζω (chrēizō) — to need, to be in want, to require

Root χρῄ- to need, to be in want, to require

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5535-03`	χρῄζετε	chrezete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	you need	you need	you need	2
`G5535-02`	χρῄζει	chrezei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	he needs	he/she needs	he needs	1
`G5535-04`	χρῄζομεν	chrezomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we need	we need	we need	1
`G5535-01`	χρῄζῃ	chreze	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	she hath need	may need	she may need	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5535-03`	Matthew 6:32	χρῄζετε	chrezete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	you need	you need	you need
`G5535-02`	Luke 11:8	χρῄζει	chrezei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	he needs	he/she needs	he needs
`G5535-03`	Luke 12:30	χρῄζετε	chrezete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	you need	you need	you need
`G5535-01`	Romans 16:2	χρῄζῃ	chreze	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	she hath need	may need	she may need
`G5535-04`	2 Corinthians 3:1	χρῄζομεν	chrezomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we need	we need	we need

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