δανείζω

I lend, borrow

Definition

The verb δανείζω (daneizō) primarily means 'to lend' or 'to give a loan' in the active voice. In the middle voice, it means 'to borrow' or 'to take a loan for oneself.' In the New Testament, Jesus uses the word in the Sermon on the Mount to command generosity: 'Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you' (Matthew 5:42). In Luke 6:34-35, Jesus contrasts worldly lending—where one expects repayment—with the radical, grace-filled lending of his followers, who are to lend without expecting anything back, mirroring God's kindness to the ungrateful.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only three times in the New Testament, all within the Synoptic Gospels' teachings of Jesus. It appears in Matthew 5:42 and twice in Luke 6:34-35. The usage is entirely within ethical instructions about money and relationships, specifically contrasting a transactional, reciprocal economy with the selfless, generous economy of God's kingdom. In Luke 6:34, it is used in the active voice ('if you lend'), and in Luke 6:35, it shifts to the middle voice ('expecting nothing in return'), emphasizing the posture of the giver.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun δάνειον (daneion), meaning 'a loan' or 'debt.' The root is related to the idea of something given on trust. It is a financial term with cognates in other ancient Greek texts, consistently carrying the sense of a monetary transaction involving credit.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures a key aspect of Jesus's kingdom ethics regarding wealth and neighbor-love. It moves financial transactions from the realm of calculated reciprocity into the realm of grace and mercy. Understanding the voice (active vs. middle) clarifies who is acting—the command is for disciples to be active lenders of grace, not calculating creditors. This redefines community and reflects God's own generous character (Luke 6:35).

In the first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish world, lending at interest to fellow Israelites was generally forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Exodus 22:25), though it was common in the broader Roman economy. Loans were often a necessity for the poor and could lead to debt-slavery. Jesus's command to lend without expectation (Luke 6:35) directly challenged the prevailing social and economic norms of securing one's own interests and avoiding risk.

κίχρημι (kichrēmi, G5531) — A more classical term for lending, not used in the NT. δανείζω is the common Koine term. ὀφείλω (opheilō, G3784) — Means 'to owe' or 'to be indebted,' focusing on the debt itself rather than the act of lending.

Word Details

Scripture References