δέω

I bind

Definition

The Greek verb δέω primarily means 'to bind' or 'to tie,' referring to the physical act of fastening something with a cord or chain, as seen when Jesus instructs his disciples to untie a donkey (Matthew 21:2). In a figurative and legal sense, it means to bind by obligation, to forbid, or to declare something unlawful, such as in Acts 16:3 where Paul has Timothy circumcised because of the Jews who were in that region. Most significantly, in a theological context, it describes the spiritual authority to 'bind and loose,' meaning to prohibit or permit, which Jesus grants to Peter and the disciples regarding matters of doctrine and discipline (Matthew 16:19, 18:18).

Biblical Usage

Used 40 times in the New Testament, δέω appears in various contexts. It describes literal binding of prisoners (e.g., John 18:12, Acts 12:6) and animals (Matthew 21:2). Figuratively, it denotes being bound by illness (Luke 13:16) or by an oath (Acts 20:22). Its most distinctive usage is in the Gospels of Matthew and John concerning spiritual authority, where Jesus gives the power to 'bind and loose' (Matthew 16:19; 18:18), and in Revelation regarding the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:2).

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *deh₁- meaning 'to bind.' It is a primary verb in Greek. Cognates include the noun δεσμός (desmos, G1199) meaning 'bond' or 'chain,' showing the root's consistent association with binding and restraint.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it underpins the concept of spiritual authority in the church. In Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, Jesus' grant of authority to 'bind and loose' is traditionally understood as the power to make doctrinal and disciplinary judgments, a foundation for ecclesiastical governance. In Revelation 20:2, it describes the eschatological defeat of Satan. Understanding this range—from physical restraint to spiritual prohibition—enriches reading by clarifying Jesus' teachings on authority and the ultimate victory over evil.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, binding often had judicial connotations, referring to arrest and imprisonment by authorities. The metaphorical use of 'binding and loosing' was also known in contemporary Jewish rabbinic language, referring to the authority to make halakhic (legal) decisions about what was forbidden or permitted. This cultural backdrop illuminates Jesus' words in Matthew, showing he was using a familiar concept of religious authority.

δεσμέω (desmeō, G1195) — a less common synonym focusing on the act of tying or bundling. συνδέω (syndeō, G4887) — to bind together. λύω (lyō, G3089) — the direct antonym, meaning 'to loose' or 'untie.'

Word Details

Scripture References