1196. desmeó

Lexical Summary

desmeó: To bind, to tie, to fasten

Original Word: δεσμεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: desmeó
Pronunciation: des-myoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (des-meh'-o)
KJV: bind
Word Origin: [from G1199 (δεσμόν - imprisonment)]

1. to tie, i.e. shackle

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bind, shackle

From desmon; to tie, i.e. Shackle -- bind.

see GREEK desmon

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for desmeuó, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1196: δεσμέω

δεσμέω, δεσμῷ: (imperfect passive 3 person singular ἐδεσμεῖτο); to bind, tie: Luke 8:29 R G L; see δεσμεύω. ((Aristotle, de plant. 1, 2, p. 817b, 21; others); Heliodorus 8, 9.)

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Field and Conceptual Imagery

δεσμεύω belongs to the family of words that picture the fastening of a person or object with chains, cords, or fetters. It conveys the idea of restriction that prevents free movement. In Scripture the imagery of binding functions on three levels: literal restraint, judicial or military custody, and figurative enslavement to spiritual powers.

Occurrences in the Septuagint

Although δεσμεύω does not appear in the Greek New Testament, it is attested in the Septuagint where it translates Hebrew verbs meaning “to bind” or “to fetter.” Representative settings include:
• Samson captured and “bound with two bronze shackles” (Judges 16:21).
• Zedekiah seized by the Babylonians and “bound with bronze chains” (2 Kings 25:7).
• Job laments that God “binds me at the neck” when describing his affliction (Job 13:27).

These passages portray external bondage imposed by hostile forces, setting the stage for later redemptive contrasts.

New Testament Parallels (δεω, δεσμός, δεσμιος, etc.)

While δεσμεύω itself is absent, its cognates saturate the New Testament:
• Physical chains: “Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains” (Acts 12:6).
• Judicial imprisonment: “I am an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20).
• Spiritual bondage: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34).
• Apostolic authority to bind and loose: “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).

Together these passages affirm that Christ alone holds absolute power over every form of bondage.

Theological Themes

1. Human powerlessness under external bondage—seen in Samson and Zedekiah—foreshadows the deeper bondage of sin (Romans 7:23).
2. Divine deliverance: “The LORD sets the prisoners free” (Psalm 146:7), illustrated supremely when the angel loosed Peter’s chains (Acts 12:7).
3. Redemptive paradox: Paul’s chains advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14), demonstrating that physical binding cannot restrain the word of God (2 Timothy 2:9).
4. Eschatological judgment: Satan himself will be “bound for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:2), assuring believers that every oppressor will ultimately be fettered by God’s justice.

Historical and Ministry Significance

Early churches met in a world where imprisonment was common for believers. Letters written from custody (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 2 Timothy) model joyful endurance, encouraging saints who today suffer political or religious detention. Missionaries often cite Paul’s example to strengthen persecuted congregations, reminding them that chains can become pulpits.

Practical Applications for Contemporary Ministry

• Intercessory prayer: imitate the believers who prayed “earnestly to God for him” while Peter was bound (Acts 12:5).
• Prison outreach: Christ identifies with the incarcerated (Matthew 25:36); ministries that visit jails embody the gospel’s liberating power.
• Counseling: the language of bondage clarifies addictive or habitual sin patterns; deliverance is sought through repentance and Spirit-enabled obedience (Galatians 5:1).
• Spiritual warfare teaching: binding and loosing passages encourage discernment and confidence in Christ’s delegated authority, balanced by submission to Scriptural limits.

Illustrative Principles

• Physical chains may coincide with spiritual freedom (Acts 16:25-34).
• Conversely, social liberty can mask spiritual bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
• God sometimes permits external binding to unshackle the soul from pride, as seen in Manasseh’s captivity preceding his repentance (2 Chronicles 33:11-13).

Summary

δεσμεύω, though absent from the Greek New Testament, enriches biblical theology by contributing to the broader “binding” motif that stretches from Israel’s judges to the final defeat of Satan. Every appearance of chains, cords, or fetters in Scripture ultimately magnifies the gospel declaration: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Forms and Transliterations

εδεσμείτο

Englishman's Concordance

δερματίνην — 2 Occ.
δαρήσεσθε — 1 Occ.
δαρήσεται — 2 Occ.
δείραντες — 4 Occ.
δέρει — 1 Occ.
δέρεις — 1 Occ.
δέρων — 2 Occ.
δέροντες — 2 Occ.
ἔδειραν — 2 Occ.
δεσμεύων — 1 Occ.
ἐδεσμεύετο — 1 Occ.
δέσμας — 1 Occ.
δεσμίων — 1 Occ.
δέσμιοι — 1 Occ.
δεσμίοις — 1 Occ.
δέσμιον — 5 Occ.
δέσμιος — 7 Occ.
δεσμίους — 2 Occ.
δεσμὰ — 3 Occ.
δεσμῶν — 6 Occ.