Lexical Summary histémi: To stand, to set, to establish, to place Original Word: ἵστημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cause to stand, establish, hold upA prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively) -- abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare tithemi. see GREEK tithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a redupl. of the prim. root sta- Definition to make to stand, to stand NASB Translation brought (1), bystanders (1), bystanders* (1), came (1), came to a halt (1), come (1), confirmed (2), establish (3), fixed (1), hold (1), lying (1), make...stand (2), placed (1), put (1), put forward (2), set (4), stand (27), stand firm (4), standing (53), standing firm (1), stands (6), stood (27), stood still (1), stood upright (1), stop (1), stopped (5), taking his stand (1), weighed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2476: ἵστημιἵστημι, more rarely ἱστάω (((from Herodotus down; cf. Veitch, under the word)) ἱστῶμεν, Romans 3:31 R G) and ἱστάνω (((late; cf. Veitch, under the word)) ἱστάνομεν, Romans 3:31 L T Tr WH) (cf. Buttmann, 44f (38f); Winers Grammar, § 14,1f.; 87 (83); WHs Appendix, p. 168; Veitch, p. 337f); future στήσω; 1 aorist ἔστησα; 2 aorist ἔστην, imperative στῆθι, infinitive στῆναι, participle στάς; perfect ἕστηκα (with present force; Winer's Grammar, 274 (257)), infinitive ἑστάναι (Relz st bez G Tr ἑστάναι in Acts 12:14) (nowhere ἑστηκεναι), participle masculine ἑστηκώς with neuter ἑστηκός, and in the shorter form ἑστώς, ἑστῶσα (John 8:9), with neuter ἑστώς and (L T Tr WH in Matthew 24:15 (here Rst also); Revelation 14:1) ἑστός (cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 208; (Rutherford, Babrius, p. 39f; Winers Grammar, § 14, 1 i.; Buttmann, 48 (41))); pluperfect εἱστήκειν ((but WH uniformly ἱστ.; see Iota) with force of imperfect Winer's Grammar, 274 (257)), 3 person plural εἱστήκεισαν (Matthew 12:46; John 18:18; Acts 9:7 and L T Tr WH in Revelation 7:11) and ἑστήκεσαν (Revelation 7:11 R G (cf. Winers Grammar, § 14, 1 a.; yet Buttmann, 43 (38))); passive, 1 aorist ἐστάθην; 1 future σταθήσομαι; 1 future middle στήσομαι (Revelation 18:15); I. Transitively in the present, imperfect, future, and 1 aorist active; likewise in the tenses of the passive (cf. Buttmann, 47 (41) contra Winers Grammar, 252 (237)) (the Sept. for הֶעֱמִיד, הֵקִים, הִצִּיב); (from Homer down); to cause or make to stand; to place, put, set; 1. universally, α. properly, τινα, to bid to stand by (set up): Acts 1:23; Acts 6:13; in the presence of others: ἐν μέσῳ, in the midst, John 8:3, and ἐν τῷ μέσῳ, Acts 4:7; ἐνώπιον τίνος, Acts 6:6; before judges: εἰς αὐτούς, before the members of the Sanhedrin, Acts 22:30; ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ, Acts 5:27; ἐπί with the genitive of the judge, passive σταθήσεσθε, Mark 13:9; τινα ἄμωμον κατενώπιον τίνος, to (set one i. e.) cause one to make his appearance faultless before etc. Jude 1:24; to place (i. e. designate the place for one to occupy): ἐν μέσῳ τινων, Matthew 18:2; Mark 9:36; παῥ ἑαυτῷ, Luke 9:47; ἐκ δεξιῶν, Matthew 25:33; ἐπί τί (accusative of place), Matthew 4:5; Luke 4:9. Middle to place oneself, to stand (German sichhinstellen,hintreten): ἀπό μακρόθεν, Revelation 18:15; likewise in the passive: σταθείς, Luke 18:11, 40; Luke 19:8; (ἐστάθησαν σκυθρωποί they stood still, looking sad, Luke 24:17 T WH Tr text (cf. II. 1 b. β.)); Acts 2:14; Acts 11:13; with ἐν μέσῳ τίνος, τινων, added, Acts 17:22; Acts 27:21; σταθέντες, when they had appeared (before the judge), Acts 25:18. β. tropically, to make firm, fix, establish: τί, τινα, to cause a person or thing to keep his or its place; passive to stand, be kept intact (of a family, a kingdom): Matthew 12:25ff; Luke 11:18; equivalent to to escape in safety, Revelation 6:17; with ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου added, Luke 21:36; στῆσαι τινα, to cause one to preserve a right state of mind, Romans 14:4 (see Meyer); passive σταθήσεται, shall be made to stand, i. e. shall be kept from falling, ibid. τί, to establish a thing, cause it to stand, i. e. to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything: Hebrews 10:9 (opposed to ἀναιρεῖν); τήν παράδοσιν, Mark 7:9; τήν ἰδίαν δικαιοσύνην, Romans 10:3; τόν νόμον (opposed to κατάργω), Romans 3:31 (τόν ὅρκον, Genesis 26:3; τήν διαθήκην, Exodus 6:4; 1 Macc. 2:27). equivalent to to ratify, confirm: σταθῇ, σταθήσεται πᾶν ῤῆμα, Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1. to appoint (cf. colloquial English set): ἡμέραν, Acts 17:31; cf. Grimm on 1 Macc. 4:59. 2. to set or place in a balance; to weigh: money to one (because in very early times, before the introduction of coinage, the metals used to be weighed) i. e. to pay, Matthew 26:15 (so in Greek writings from Homer down; cf. Passow, under the word, p. 1508b; (Liddell and Scott, under the word A. IV.); the Sept. for שָׁקַל, Isaiah 46:6; Jeremiah 39:9ff ( II. Intransitively in the perfect and pluperfect (having the sense of a present and an imperfect (see above)), also in 2 aorist active, to stand; the Sept. for נִצַּב עָמַד קוּם; 1. properly, a. followed by prepositions or adverbs of place: followed by ἐν with the dative of place (cf. Buttmann, 329 (283)), Matthew 6:5; Matthew 20:3; Matthew 24:15; Luke 24:36; John 8:9; John 11:56; Acts 5:25; Acts 7:33 (L T Tr WH ἐπί with the dative); Revelation 5:6; Revelation 19:17; ἐνώπιον τίνος, Acts 10:30; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 11:4; Revelation 12:4; πρός with the dative of place, John 18:16; ἐπί with the genitive of place (German auf, upon), Luke 6:17; Acts 21:40; Revelation 10:5, 8; with the genitive of the judge or tribunal, before (cf. ἐπί, A. I. 2 b.), Acts 24:20; Acts 25:10; πέραν with the genitive of place, John 6:22; πρό, Acts 5:23 (R G; but L T Tr WH ἐπί τῶν θυρῶν (at, German an; cf. above and see ἐπί, A. I. 2 a.)); b. absolutely; α. to stand by, stand near (in a place already mentioned, so that the reader readily understands where): Matthew 26:73; John 1:35; John 3:29; John 7:37; John 12:29; John 18:18, 25; John 20:14; Acts 16:9; Acts 22:25; with a participle or adjective (indicating the purpose or act or condition of the one standing): Matthew 20:6; Luke 23:10; Acts 1:11; Acts 9:7; Acts 26:6; opposed to καθίζειν, Hebrews 10:11f β. if what is said to stand had been in motion (walking, flowing, etc.), to stop, stand still: Matthew 2:9 (Rec. ἔστη, L T Tr WH ἐστάθη (cf. I. 1 a.)); Matthew 20:32; Mark 10:49; Luke 8:44; Acts 8:38. γ. contextually, to stand immutable, stand firm, of the foundation of a building: 2 Timothy 2:19. 2. metaphorically, a. to stand, i. e. continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22. b. to stand ready or prepared: with a participle, Ephesians 6:14. c. to be of a steadfast mind; so in the maxim in 1 Corinthians 10:12. d. followed by a participle of quality, Colossians 4:12; ὅς ἕστηκεν ἑδραῖος, who does not hesitate, does not waver, 1 Corinthians 7:37; in a figure, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, Ephesians 6:13; also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position πρός τινα, against the foe, Ephesians 6:11 (cf. Exodus 14:13; Psalm 35:13 The verb group gathered under Strong’s Greek number 2476 portrays the attitude, condition, or appointment of “standing.” Across the New Testament narrative it marks everything from ordinary bodily posture to the believer’s secure position in grace, from the fixed status of divine decree to the final scene of judgment. Its range touches history, prophecy, worship, discipleship, and mission. Physical Posture in Daily Narrative Many occurrences simply describe where someone is located or how a crowd arranges itself. “Great crowds gathered around Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore” (Matthew 13:2). John repeatedly notes the stance of observers: “Mary stood outside the tomb weeping” (John 20:11); “His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were standing by the cross of Jesus” (John 19:25). Such details lend historical concreteness and often heighten dramatic tension, as when the leaders “stood looking on” during the crucifixion (Luke 23:35). Presence before Authority Standing signals respectful appearance before rulers or courts. Jesus “stood before the governor” (Matthew 27:11). Paul “standing before the tribunal of Caesar” (Acts 25:10) defends the gospel. The term frames legal cross-examination (Acts 4:7; 24:20) and prophetic indictment (Acts 6:13). In each setting the verb underscores accountability to higher authority—earthly or divine. Spiritual Standing in Grace Beyond literal posture the word expresses the believer’s secure position. “Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2). The root metaphor grounds assurance: “By faith you stand” (2 Corinthians 1:24); “In which also you stand” (1 Corinthians 15:1). This stability is God-given, not self-generated, yet calls for vigilance: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Establishing, Appointing, Confirming Closely related forms depict something fixed or set in place. God “has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). The new covenant “He establishes” (Hebrews 10:9). Divine truth “stands firm having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’” (2 Timothy 2:19). Even the law, properly understood, is “established” rather than nullified (Romans 3:31). Call to Perseverance and Warfare Ephesians 6 repeatedly urges believers to “stand against the schemes of the devil… having done everything, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:11-14). In Jude’s doxology God is able “to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless” (Jude 1:24). Standing becomes the posture of moral courage, whether before hostile authorities (Acts 5:25) or amidst social ridicule (James 5:9). Prayer and Worship Posture in prayer can be either kneeling or standing, but Jesus assumes standing as common: “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues” (Matthew 6:5). The repentant tax collector “stood at a distance, beating his breast” (Luke 18:13). Heavenly worship scenes throng with angels “standing around the throne” (Revelation 7:11). Eschatological and Prophetic Visions Prophecy often pictures decisive reality “standing.” The “abomination of desolation standing where it should not” (Mark 13:14) signals impending judgment. The great day of wrath asks, “Who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17). Final judgment reveals “the dead, great and small, standing before the throne” (Revelation 20:12). The Risen Christ and the Lamb The verb highlights the authority of the risen Lord: “Jesus came and stood among them” (John 20:19). The triumphant Lamb is “standing in the center of the throne, appearing as if slain” (Revelation 5:6). He “stands at the door and knocks” (Revelation 3:20), ready to enter fellowship, and at last “stood on Mount Zion” with the redeemed (Revelation 14:1). Angelic Ministry Angels frequently appear in a standing posture of readiness and reverence. An angel “standing at the altar” receives incense (Revelation 8:3). Gabriel “stood at the right side of the altar of incense” (Luke 1:11). Such scenes underline heavenly alertness to God’s commands. Witness and Martyrdom Stephen, “full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56), a powerful affirmation that the exalted Christ honors His martyr-witnesses. The two prophetic witnesses “stood on their feet” after resurrection, striking fear into opponents (Revelation 11:11). Admonition Against Presumption Self-confidence detached from grace invites downfall. Romans warns Gentile believers: “You stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear” (Romans 11:20). James reminds that “the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9), urging humble repentance. Mission and Preaching Evangelistic boldness often begins with someone “standing up.” Peter “stood with the Eleven” to declare Christ (Acts 2:14). Paul “stood in the midst of the Areopagus” (Acts 17:22). The Lord Himself told Paul, “Stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose” (Acts 26:16). Pastoral Implications 1. Assurance: Encourage believers to rest in the completed work of Christ, “in which you stand” (1 Corinthians 15:1). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:9 V-AIP-3SGRK: ἕως ἐλθὼν ἐστάθη ἐπάνω οὗ NAS: it came and stood over KJV: till it came and stood over where INT: until having come it stood over where Matthew 4:5 V-AIA-3S Matthew 6:5 V-RPA-NMP Matthew 12:25 V-FIP-3S Matthew 12:26 V-FIP-3S Matthew 12:46 V-LIA-3P Matthew 12:47 V-RIA-3P Matthew 13:2 V-LIA-3S Matthew 16:28 V-RPA-GMP Matthew 18:2 V-AIA-3S Matthew 18:16 V-ASP-3S Matthew 20:3 V-RPA-AMP Matthew 20:6 V-RPA-AMP Matthew 20:6 V-RIA-2P Matthew 20:32 V-APA-NMS Matthew 24:15 V-RPA-ANS Matthew 25:33 V-FIA-3S Matthew 26:15 V-AIA-3P Matthew 26:73 V-RPA-NMP Matthew 27:11 V-AIP-3S Matthew 27:47 V-RPA-GMP Mark 3:24 V-ANP Mark 3:25 V-ANA Mark 3:26 V-ANA Mark 7:9 V-ASA-2P Strong's Greek 2476 |
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