1433. dóreomai

Lexical Summary

dóreomai: To give freely, to bestow

Original Word: δωρέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dóreomai
Pronunciation: do-reh'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (do-reh'-om-ahee)
KJV: give
NASB: granted
Word Origin: [middle voice from G1435 (δῶρον - gifts)]

1. to bestow gratuitously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

give.

Middle voice from doron; to bestow gratuitously -- give.

see GREEK doron

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1433 dōréomai (from 1325 /dídōmi, "give") – to give as a gift (give freely). See 1431 (dōrea).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from dóron
Definition
to give, present, bestow
NASB Translation
granted (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1433: δωρέω

δωρέω, δώρῳ: to present, bestow, (Hesiod, Pindar, Herodotus, others); passive Leviticus 7:5 (Heb. text Leviticus 7:15). But much more frequently as deponent middle δωρέομαι, δωροῦμαι (Homer and following): 1 aorist ἐδωρησαμην; perfect δεδώρημαι; τίνι τί, Mark 15:45; 2 Peter 1:3, 4.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Theological Emphasis

The verb rendered “grant,” “bestow,” or “give as a gift” portrays a transfer that is motivated by the giver’s initiative rather than by obligation or payment. Scripture employs the term to highlight generosity, authority, and grace. Whether used of a Roman governor or of God Himself, it underscores that the recipient contributes nothing to earn the favor bestowed.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Mark 15:45 records Pilate’s decision to release Jesus’ body to Joseph of Arimathea: “When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he granted the body to Joseph”.
• 2 Peter 1:3 proclaims, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence”.
• 2 Peter 1:4 continues, “Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature”.

Historical Context

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, benefactors often gave gifts to demonstrate power, cement alliances, or show favor. The New Testament writers adapt this cultural idea to reveal a far greater Benefactor whose gifts flow from covenant love rather than political calculation.

The Gift-Giving Nature of God

2 Peter anchors the believer’s entire spiritual life in what God “has given.” The verb appears twice before any imperative is issued, announcing that Christian growth begins with divine provision, not human effort. God has already granted:

1. “Everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) – sufficiency for both spiritual vitality and ethical transformation.
2. “Precious and magnificent promises” (2 Peter 1:4) – covenant assurances that secure participation in the divine nature and deliverance from corruption.

Christological Implications

Pilate’s act in Mark 15:45—granting the crucified body of Jesus—unintentionally serves the redemptive plan. The same verb later describes God’s purposeful bestowal of spiritual riches. The contrast is striking: an earthly ruler grants a corpse; the heavenly King grants life and promises. Both uses meet at the cross, where death becomes the doorway to new life that God freely gives.

Relationship to Other Gift Words

Whereas other Greek terms for “gift” often relate to sacrifices (offered upward) or rewards (earned), the verb under study conveys unilateral generosity. It shares the grace-infused nuance of words like “charis” but stresses the decisive act of conferring rather than the sympathetic attitude behind it.

Doctrinal Contributions

1. Sufficiency of Grace – No additional merit is required beyond what God has already granted (2 Peter 1:3).
2. Certainty of Promise – The believer’s hope rests on gifts already bestowed, not future negotiation (2 Peter 1:4).
3. Divine Initiative in Salvation History – From Pilate’s courtroom to Peter’s epistle, God’s sovereignty turns every “grant” toward His redemptive ends.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Discipleship: Encourage believers to build virtue (2 Peter 1:5-7) on the foundation of gifts already received.
• Pastoral Care: When counseling weary saints, point them to the completeness of God’s provision rather than to self-reliance.
• Evangelism: Present salvation as a granted gift, not a wage, highlighting that reception, not achievement, is the human response.

Pastoral Reflections

The verb’s threefold New Testament usage offers a concise theology of divine generosity. From the tangible granting of Christ’s body for burial to the intangible granting of promises and power, Scripture consistently portrays God as One who delights to give. Every act of Christian obedience grows from this fertile soil of grace already bestowed.

Forms and Transliterations

δεδωρημενης δεδωρημένης δεδωρηται δεδώρηται δωρείται δωρούμαι εδωρησατο εδωρήσατο ἐδωρήσατο dedoremenes dedoreménes dedōrēmenēs dedōrēménēs dedoretai dedōrētai dedṓretai dedṓrētai edoresato edorḗsato edōrēsato edōrḗsato

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 15:45 V-AIM-3S
GRK: τοῦ κεντυρίωνος ἐδωρήσατο τὸ πτῶμα
NAS: this from the centurion, he granted the body
KJV: the centurion, he gave the body
INT: the centurion he granted the body

2 Peter 1:3 V-RPM/P-GFS
GRK: καὶ εὐσέβειαν δεδωρημένης διὰ τῆς
NAS: power has granted to us everything
KJV: power hath given unto us
INT: and godliness has given through the

2 Peter 1:4 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: ἡμῖν ἐπαγγέλματα δεδώρηται ἵνα διὰ
NAS: For by these He has granted to us His precious
KJV: Whereby are given unto us
INT: to us promises he has given that through

Strong's Greek 1433
3 Occurrences

δεδωρημένης — 1 Occ.
δεδώρηται — 1 Occ.
ἐδωρήσατο — 1 Occ.