βεβαιόω
bebaióō
G950 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make firm or secure; to confirm, establish, or guarantee something so that it is steadfast or reliable. Frequently used in the sense of strengthening or assuring the validity of a promise, word, or relationship. In various contexts, it refers to making something certain or settled, to provide assurance, or to render unchanging.
Semantic Range
to make firm, to confirm, to guarantee, to establish, to render unwavering, to assure the validity
Root / Etymology
From the adjective βέβαιος (firm, steady, secure), formed by the verbal suffix -όω indicating causation or action; thus, 'to cause to be firm'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βεβαιόω commonly referred to rendering something legally or practically certain, such as confirming agreements, treaties, or statements. The Septuagint employs the term to indicate the confirmation or affirmation of divine promises (e.g., Genesis 6:18, establishing a covenant), as well as legal agreements. In the New Testament and early Christian writings, it is frequently used of establishing or confirming believers, faith, or the reliability of God's promises (e.g., 2 Corinthians 1:21, Hebrews 2:3). Greek outside biblical literature uses the verb in civic, legal, and rhetorical contexts. English translations often render it as "confirm" or "establish," but sometimes do not capture the connotation of making something unwavering or guaranteed. Distinguished from στηρίζω ('to support, make firm'), which focuses more on strengthening or upholding rather than legal or declarative confirmation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from βέβαιος; to stabilitate (figuratively):--confirm, (e-)stablish.
Root Family
βεβαιόω (bebaioō) — to make firm, to confirm, to establish, to guarantee
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G951 | βεβαίωσις | will make firm |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G950-07 |
ἐβεβαιώθη | ebebaiothe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was confirmed | was made firm | 2 |
G950-02 |
βεβαιῶσαι | bebaiosai | V AOR ACT INF |
confirm | to make firm | 1 |
G950-03 |
βεβαιώσει | bebaiosei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will confirm | will make firm | 1 |
G950-05 |
βεβαιοῦντος | bebaiountos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
confirming | of the one establishing | 1 |
G950-01 |
βεβαιῶν | bebaion | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
making firm | 1 | |
G950-06 |
βεβαιοῦσθαι | bebaiousthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be established | to be made firm | 1 |
G950-04 |
βεβαιούμενοι | bebaioumenoi | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being established | being made firm | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G950-05 |
Mark 16:20 | βεβαιοῦντος | bebaiountos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
confirming | of the one establishing |
G950-02 |
Romans 15:8 | βεβαιῶσαι | bebaiosai | V AOR ACT INF |
confirm | to make firm |
G950-07 |
1 Corinthians 1:6 | ἐβεβαιώθη | ebebaiothe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was confirmed | was made firm |
G950-03 |
1 Corinthians 1:8 | βεβαιώσει | bebaiosei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will confirm | will make firm |
G950-01 |
2 Corinthians 1:21 | βεβαιῶν | bebaion | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
making firm | |
G950-04 |
Colossians 2:7 | βεβαιούμενοι | bebaioumenoi | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being established | being made firm |
G950-07 |
Hebrews 2:3 | ἐβεβαιώθη | ebebaiothe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was made firm | |
G950-06 |
Hebrews 13:9 | βεβαιοῦσθαι | bebaiousthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be established | to be made firm |