εὐχή
a prayer, vow
Definition
A εὐχή is a solemn prayer that often includes a vow or promise made to God. In the New Testament, it primarily refers to a Nazirite vow, a temporary consecration involving abstaining from certain activities (Acts 18:18, 21:23). In James 5:15, the word is used more broadly for the 'prayer of faith' offered for a sick person, emphasizing its power and efficacy. Thus, the term bridges a specific religious commitment and a general, powerful petition.
Biblical Usage
Used only three times in the New Testament, all in contexts of religious commitment. In Acts, it specifically denotes the Nazirite vow, a ritual practice (Acts 18:18, Paul cutting his hair; Acts 21:23, four men under a vow). In James 5:15, it refers to the prayer offered by elders for healing, showing its use in a communal, faith-filled context. The usage pattern ties personal devotion to tangible action or outcome.
Etymology
Derived from the verb εὔχομαι (euchomai, G2172), meaning 'to pray, wish, or vow.' The noun form εὐχή inherently carries the sense of a spoken commitment or earnest request directed toward the divine. It is related to words expressing desire or declaration.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the intersection of prayer and commitment. A εὐχή is not a casual request but a prayer that binds the petitioner, reflecting the biblical theme of vows as serious spiritual obligations (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). In James, it underscores the efficacy of faithful prayer within the church. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by showing how prayer can be both a personal vow of devotion and a powerful instrument of God's healing.
In its Greco-Roman and Jewish setting, a vow (εὐχή) was a serious religious act, often involving specific abstentions or offerings. The Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) was a well-known Jewish practice of temporary consecration to God. This cultural understanding of a binding, ritual commitment is essential for interpreting its use in Acts, differing from a modern view of prayer as primarily a private petition.
προσευχή (proseuchē, G4335) — a general term for prayer, often more routine or regular, without the specific vow component. δέησις (deēsis, G1162) — a petition or supplication, emphasizing need or request.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
Full methodology & sources →