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χωρέω

chōréō

G5562 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make space, to have room; to hold or contain (something) within a space or area. Figuratively, to accept, receive, or endure something mentally or emotionally. In various contexts, χωρέω denotes both physical and metaphorical capacity: (1) literally, to allow passage or entry, to accommodate within a spatial area, (2) figuratively, to accept or take in—to make space for something in one's mind, heart, or plans, (3) by extension, to progress or go forward, to advance or move.

Semantic Range

to make space for, to hold, to be capable of containing, to receive (mentally or emotionally), to be able to accept, to allow passage or entry, to progress, to advance, to make allowance for

Root / Etymology

From the noun χώρα (land, region, space), with the verb-forming ending -έω, indicating an action relating to space or room.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, χωρέω primarily refers to the physical act of giving way, making room, or holding something within a defined space, frequently used with objects, people, or places. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the verb expands to metaphorical applications: to receive or accept something mentally (e.g., a saying, a teaching), to be open to, or to make room within oneself or a group for an idea or individual. In the Septuagint and New Testament, χωρέω functions in both literal and figurative senses. For example, in Matthew 19:11-12 and John 2:6, χωρέω describes, respectively, the mental capacity to accept a statement and the physical capacity of vessels to hold water. The English 'contain', 'hold', 'receive', and 'make room' each only partially capture the range of meaning; English translations may obscure whether physical or figurative space is in view. The root is connected to spatial concepts, but Koine usage often broadens to include cognitive or emotional acceptance. Related but distinct Greek terms include δέχομαι (to receive, generally passive or receptive) and λαμβάνω (to take, more active acquisition), while χωρέω emphasizes the aspect of making (or having) space for something. The verb does not necessarily carry a sense of willingness—only capacity or allowance. Earliest attestation is found in classical literature from the 5th century BCE.

Translation Consistency

primary "hold" 1 occurrence

“Hold” naturally covers the primary senses of χωρέω — to contain or have room for something physically, and to receive or take something in metaphorically (accept, endure). It is plain, common English and adapts easily to inflectional forms (hold, holds, held, holding) for consistent rendering across contexts. Less common senses (allow passage, advance) can be handled by context-specific phrasing while keeping the single core verb.

Alternatives (9 occurrences):
"make room" (3x) "passes through" (1x) "receive" (1x) "him make space" (1x) "containing" (1x) "contain" (1x) "make space" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from χώρα; to be in (give) space, i.e. (intransitively) to pass, enter, or (transitively) to hold, admit (literally or figuratively):--come, contain, go, have place, (can, be room to) receive.

Root Family

χωρ- (chōréō) — to make space, to have room, to contain, to accommodate

Root χωρ- to make space, to have room, to contain, to accommodate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G5563 χωρίζω to separate
G5564 χωρίον small land parcels
G5565 χωρίς apart from
G672 ἀποχωρέω he/she withdraws

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5562-01 χωρεῖ chorei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG goes makes room passes through 2
G5562-02 χωρεῖν chorein V PRS ACT INF room to make room to make room 2
G5562-03 χωρείτω choreito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him accept let him make space let him make space 1
G5562-04 χωρῆσαι choresai V AOR ACT INF come to make space to make space 1
G5562-05 χωρήσατε choresate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Make room for Make room! Make room 1
G5562-06 χωρήσειν choresein V FUT ACT INF could contain to make space could contain 1
G5562-07 χωροῦσαι chorousai V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL containing making space containing 1
G5562-08 χωροῦσι chorousi V PRS ACT IND 3P PL can receive they have room receive 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5562-01 Matthew 15:17 χωρεῖ chorei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG goes makes room passes through
G5562-08 Matthew 19:11 χωροῦσι chorousi V PRS ACT IND 3P PL can receive they have room receive
G5562-02 Matthew 19:12 χωρεῖν chorein V PRS ACT INF to accept to make room to make room
G5562-03 Matthew 19:12 χωρείτω choreito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him accept let him make space let him make space
G5562-02 Mark 2:2 χωρεῖν chorein V PRS ACT INF room to make room to make room
G5562-07 John 2:6 χωροῦσαι chorousai V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL containing making space containing
G5562-01 John 8:37 χωρεῖ chorei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG has place makes room it holds place
G5562-06 John 21:25 χωρήσειν choresein V FUT ACT INF could contain to make space could contain
G5562-05 2 Corinthians 7:2 χωρήσατε choresate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Make room for Make room! Make room
G5562-04 2 Peter 3:9 χωρῆσαι choresai V AOR ACT INF come to make space to make space
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