ἔχω

echōto have/beHow to read Greek
greekNew TestamentVerb708 occurrences27 books626 verses

Definition

ἔχω,

[in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;]

(on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions.

I. Trans.;

1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.;

(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Revelation 5:8; 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Revelation 1:16; 10:2, al.;

(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Matthew 3:4; 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mark 11:13, John 18:10, Revelation 9:17, al.;

(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mark 13:17, Romans 9:10;

(d) to hold fast, keep: Luke 19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mark 16:8 (cf. Job 21:6, Isaiah 13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), John 14:21, Romans 1:28, 1 Timothy 3:9, 2 Timothy 1:13, Revelation 6:9, al.;

(e) to involve: Hebrews 10:35 (LXX), James 1:4, 1 John 4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luke 14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Matthew 14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Matthew 21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mark 11:32.

2. to have, possess;

(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Matthew 19:22, Mark 10:22, Luke 12:19, John 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Matthew 13:12; 25:29, 2 Corinthians 8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2 Corinthians 8:11;

(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, John 8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1 Corinthians 7:2; φίλον, Luke 11:5; βασιλέα, John 19:15; ποιμένα, Matthew 9:36; with dupl. accusative, Matthew 3:9, al.;

(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Matthew 19:15; μέλη, Romans 12:4; θεμελίους,

(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1 Thessalonians 3:6; ἀγάπην, John 13:35; γνῶσιν, 1 Corinthians 8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2 Corinthians 3:4; θλίψιν, John 16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.);

(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1 Corinthians 7:37; νόμον, John 19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1 Corinthians 7:25; ἀγῶνα, Philippians 1:30; κρίμα, 1 Timothy 5:12;

(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Matthew 5:23, Mark 11:25; id. before ὅτι, Revelation 2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Acts 24:19, al.;

(g) with inf.,

(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Matthew 18:25, Mark 14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luke 12:4, Acts 4:14, al;

(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luke 12:50, Acts 23:17-19; 28:19.

II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Acts 21:13, 2 Corinthians 12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mark 5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Matthew 4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, John 4:52; πῶς, Acts 15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1 Timothy 5:25; οὕτως, Acts 7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7.11), Acts 24:25.

III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Hebrews 6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mark 1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luke 13:33, Acts 20:15; 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Acts 13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.)

Hebrew words it translates

The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ἔχω:

Usage patterns

Old TestamentNew Testament

Occurrences

708 total
  1. Galatians 4:27ἐχούσης · has
    For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
  2. Galatians 6:4ἕξει · he will have
    Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.
  3. Galatians 6:10ἔχομεν · we have
    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
  4. Ephesians 1:7ἔχομεν · we have
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
  5. Ephesians 2:12ἔχοντες
    …remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
  6. Ephesians 2:18ἔχομεν · we both have
    For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
  7. Ephesians 3:12ἔχομεν · we may
    In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.
  8. Ephesians 4:28ἔχῃ · he may have [something]; ἔχοντι · [in]
    He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
  9. Ephesians 5:5ἔχει · has
    For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
  10. Ephesians 5:27ἔχουσαν · without
    …and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
  11. Philippians 1:7ἔχειν · have
    It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
  12. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
  13. Philippians 1:30ἔχοντες · [since] you are encountering
    …since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
  14. Philippians 2:2ἔχοντες · having
    …then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
  15. Philippians 2:20ἔχω · I have
    I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
  16. Philippians 2:27σχῶ · spare me
    He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
  17. Philippians 2:29ἔχετε
    Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
  18. Philippians 3:4ἔχων · could have
    …though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
  19. Philippians 3:9ἔχων · having
    …and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
  20. Philippians 3:17ἔχετε · we set for you
    Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
  21. Colossians 1:4ἔχετε · your
    …because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
  22. Colossians 1:14ἔχομεν · we have
    …in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
  23. Colossians 2:1ἔχω · I am struggling
    For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,
  24. Colossians 2:23ἔχοντα · have
    Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
  25. Colossians 3:13ἔχῃ · you may have
    Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
  26. Colossians 4:1ἔχετε · have
    Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
  27. Colossians 4:13ἔχει · he goes to
    For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
  28. 1 Thessalonians 1:8ἔχειν · have
    For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more.
  29. 1 Thessalonians 1:9ἔσχομεν · you gave us
    For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
  30. 1 Thessalonians 3:6ἔχετε · you have preserved
    But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
  31. 1 Thessalonians 4:9ἔχετε · you do
    Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
  32. 1 Thessalonians 4:12ἔχητε · being
    Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
  33. 1 Thessalonians 4:13ἔχοντες · are
    Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
  34. Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
  35. 1 Thessalonians 5:3ἐχούσῃ · a pregnant woman
    While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
  36. 2 Thessalonians 3:9ἔχομεν · we lack
    Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
  37. 1 Timothy 1:12ἔχω · I
    I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
  38. 1 Timothy 1:19ἔχων · holding on
    …holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.
  39. 1 Timothy 3:4ἔχοντα · [and] keep
    An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
  40. 1 Timothy 3:7ἔχειν · have
    Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
  41. 1 Timothy 3:9ἔχοντας · They must hold
    They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
  42. 1 Timothy 4:8ἔχουσα · holding
    For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
  43. 1 Timothy 5:4ἔχει · has
    But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
  44. 1 Timothy 5:12ἔχουσαι · [and thus] will incur
    …and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
  45. 1 Timothy 5:16ἔχει · has
    If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
  46. 1 Timothy 5:20ἔχωσιν · will
    But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
  47. 1 Timothy 5:25ἔχοντα · are
    In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
  48. 1 Timothy 6:2ἔχοντες · have
    Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
  49. 1 Timothy 6:8ἔχοντες · if we have
    But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.