χράω

I lend

Definition

The verb χράω (chraō) primarily means 'to lend' or 'to grant a loan.' In its single New Testament occurrence, it carries this straightforward financial sense of providing something with the expectation of its return. The word can also imply a sense of obligation or necessity in broader Greek usage, but this nuance is not present in the biblical text. The core meaning is simply the act of lending, as demonstrated in Luke 11:5.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:5, within Jesus's parable about persistent prayer. The speaker asks a friend, 'Friend, lend (χρῆσόν) me three loaves.' The context is a simple, practical request for a temporary loan of bread to fulfill a duty of hospitality to an unexpected guest. Its usage here is entirely mundane and illustrates a common social interaction.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek root related to use, need, or necessity. It is connected to the more common verb χράομαι (chraomai, G5530), which means 'to use' or 'to make use of.' The relationship suggests that to lend is to grant someone the temporary use of a possession. This etymological link highlights the practical, utilitarian nature of the action.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Near Eastern context of Luke 11:5, lending, especially of basic necessities like bread, was a fundamental social obligation tied to honor and community survival. Refusing such a request, particularly to a neighbor at night, would bring shame. The parable leverages this strong cultural expectation of hospitality and mutual aid to illustrate a point about God's willingness to answer prayer, contrasting human reluctance with divine generosity.

δανείζω (daneizō, G1155) — More common NT verb for lending, often in financial or debt contexts (e.g., Luke 6:34-35). κίχρημι (kichrēmi) — A classical Greek synonym for lending, not used in the NT.

Word Details

Scripture References