ἀρκέω (G714) — Greek Lexicon

ἀρκέω

arkéō

G714 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to be sufficient, to be enough, to satisfy in terms of meeting a need or requirement; in extended contexts, to be content with what is sufficient or provided.

Semantic Range

to suffice, to be enough, to meet needs or requirements, to be content (with sufficiency), to satisfy

Root / Etymology

Possibly related to ἀρκ- (as a primary verb) or akin to αἴρω through an ancient, now-obscure semantic link (e.g., raising up or fending off); ultimately etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀρκέω meant 'to be sufficient for,' 'to suffice,' or 'to ward off' and is attested as early as Herodotus. The passive and middle forms often emphasize contentment with sufficiency (e.g., ἀρκέομαι: 'to be content'). In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, particularly in the New Testament and the Septuagint, its usage narrows primarily to the sense of 'to suffice,' 'to be enough,' and metaphorically 'to be content,' as in contentment with circumstances or what is provided (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 13:5). The idea of 'warding off' or 'protecting' is rare in Koine but attested in older literature. English translations often render the verb as 'be sufficient,' 'be enough,' or 'be content,' but 'be content' reflects an idiomatic extension and should be distinguished from a purely subjective feeling; the term centers on objective sufficiency. The semantic shift from the more physical sense ('ward off, keep away') to the sense of adequacy is complete by the Koine period. There is no significant difference in meaning in Septuagint and New Testament contexts. Related terms: ἀφικνέομαι (to arrive at), ἐξαρκεῖ (to suffice for), ἱκανός (adequate, sufficient).

Translation Consistency

primary "suffice" 3 occurrences

ἀρκέω primarily means ‘to be sufficient’/‘to be enough’ or ‘to meet a need.’ ‘Suffice’ is the natural single-word English verb that captures the typical intransitive sense (and can cover the sense ‘be enough/meet requirements’) while remaining idiomatic and consistent across forms.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):

"content" (2x) "satisfied" (2x) "sufficient" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb (but probably akin to αἴρω through the idea of raising a barrier); properly, to ward off, i.e. (by implication) to avail (figuratively, be satisfactory):--be content, be enough, suffice, be sufficient.

Root Family

ἀρκέω (arkeō) — to suffice, to be enough, to satisfy

Root ἀρκ- to suffice, to be enough, to satisfy

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G714-01`	ἀρκεῖ	arkei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	is sufficient	it suffices	it suffices	2
`G714-06`	ἀρκούμενος	arkoumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	content	being satisfied	being satisfied	1
`G714-03`	ἀρκέσῃ	arkese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	it suffice	may suffice	may suffice	1
`G714-05`	ἀρκούμενοι	arkoumenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being content	being satisfied	being content	1
`G714-04`	ἀρκεσθησόμεθα	arkesthesometha	`V FUT PASS IND 1P PL`	we will be content	we will be satisfied	we will be satisfied	1
`G714-02`	ἀρκεῖσθε	arkeisthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be content	be satisfied	be content	1
`G714-07`	ἀρκοῦσιν	arkousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	are enough	they suffice	are sufficient	1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G714-03`	Matthew 25:9	ἀρκέσῃ	arkese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	it suffice	may suffice	may suffice
`G714-02`	Luke 3:14	ἀρκεῖσθε	arkeisthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be content	be satisfied	be content
`G714-07`	John 6:7	ἀρκοῦσιν	arkousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	are enough	they suffice	are sufficient
`G714-01`	John 14:8	ἀρκεῖ	arkei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	it is enough	it suffices	it suffices
`G714-01`	2 Corinthians 12:9	ἀρκεῖ	arkei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	is sufficient	it suffices	it suffices
`G714-04`	1 Timothy 6:8	ἀρκεσθησόμεθα	arkesthesometha	`V FUT PASS IND 1P PL`	we will be content	we will be satisfied	we will be satisfied
`G714-05`	Hebrews 13:5	ἀρκούμενοι	arkoumenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being content	being satisfied	being content
`G714-06`	3 John 1:10	ἀρκούμενος	arkoumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	content	being satisfied	being satisfied

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