Lexical Summary kartereó: To endure, to be steadfast, to persevere Original Word: καρτερέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance endure. From a derivative of kratos (transposed); to be strong, i.e. (figuratively) steadfast (patient) -- endure. see GREEK kratos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a derivation of kratos Definition to be steadfast NASB Translation endured (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2594: καρτερέωκαρτερέω, καρτέρω: 1 aorist ἐκαρτέρησα; (καρτερός (from κάρτος i. e. κράτος, 'strong')); to be steadfast: Hebrews 11:27 (A. V. endured). (Job 2:9; Sir. 2:2 Sir. 12:15; often in Greek writings from Sophocles and Thucydides down.) (Compare: προσκαρτερέω.) Topical Lexicon Primary New Testament Context Hebrews 11:27 presents Moses as the model of steadfast faith: “By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible” (Berean Standard Bible). The single occurrence of the verb underscores a decisive, life-altering moment. Moses’ endurance is portrayed not as passive resignation but as an active, hope-filled resolve that sprang from a clear vision of God’s unseen reality. The writer to the Hebrews uses this lone instance to strengthen believers facing hostility (Hebrews 10:32-39), showing that perseverance is inseparable from faith’s ability to grasp divine promises. Old Testament Echoes and Septuagint Parallels Although the verb itself appears only in Hebrews, its concept saturates the Old Testament narrative. When Moses “left Egypt,” the Exodus becomes the pre-eminent picture of deliverance through endurance (Exodus 12–14). The Septuagint often describes Israel’s forty-year wilderness journey with cognate terms that stress sustained obedience under hardship (for example, Deuteronomy 1:31-33). By employing the word in Hebrews 11, the author links New Covenant believers to this earlier story, urging them to continue their pilgrimage toward a better country (Hebrews 11:16). Theological Significance 1. Faith’s Eyesight: Moses “saw Him who is invisible,” articulating the truth that spiritual perception empowers perseverance (2 Corinthians 4:18). Christological Connections Moses functions as a type of Christ, who “endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). As Moses turned his back on the palace of Pharaoh, Christ “made Himself nothing” (Philippians 2:7). The verb in Hebrews 11:27 therefore invites believers to imitate not only Moses but ultimately the greater Moses, Jesus. Practical Ministry Applications • Shepherding Under Pressure: Church leaders facing governmental or cultural hostility can draw courage from Moses’ example to stand firm without fear (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Formation When counseling persecuted or suffering congregants, guide them to rehearse God’s past faithfulness, as Moses recalled the covenant promises (Exodus 2:24-25). Encourage practices that sharpen “the eyes of the heart” (Ephesians 1:18)—Scripture meditation, prayer, and corporate worship—so that the unseen Monarch becomes more vivid than visible threats. Homiletical Insights A sermon on Hebrews 11:27 can structure around three movements: 1. Looking Back—remembering God’s acts (Exodus). Historical Witnesses Early Christians under Roman persecution read Hebrews aloud in house churches, finding in Moses a prototype for their own resolve. Later, reformers such as Martin Luther cited Hebrews 11 to embolden believers to stand against imperial edicts. Missionary biographies—from Adoniram Judson in Burma to Elisabeth Elliot in Ecuador—testify that clear sight of the invisible God sustains long-term gospel labor. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2594, though occurring only once, anchors a sweeping biblical doctrine: steadfast endurance anchored in faith’s vision of God. In every generation, believers who “see the Invisible” are empowered to forsake fear, embrace suffering, and journey toward the promised inheritance. Forms and Transliterations εκαρτέρησα εκαρτέρησε εκαρτερησεν ἐκαρτέρησεν εκαρτέρωσεν καρτερήσεις κάρυα καρύας καρυίνην καρυϊνην καρυϊσκους ekarteresen ekarterēsen ekartéresen ekartérēsenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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