2594. kartereó
Lexical Summary
kartereó: To endure, to be steadfast, to persevere

Original Word: καρτερέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kartereó
Pronunciation: kar-ter-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-ter-eh'-o)
KJV: endure
NASB: endured
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G2904 (κράτος - dominion) (transposed)]

1. to be strong
2. (figuratively) to endure

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 Origin
from a derivation of kratos
Definition
to be steadfast
NASB Translation
endured (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2594: καρτερέω

καρτερέω, 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).
2. Fearlessness Before Earthly Powers: “Not fearing the king’s anger” reminds readers that reverence for God overrules terror of tyrants (Acts 4:19).
3. Eschatological Orientation: The endurance of Moses anticipates the final reward promised to all who “persevere under trial” (James 1:12).

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).
• Discipleship Pathways: Small-group curricula may trace the motif of endurance from Exodus through Hebrews, equipping believers to interpret present trials as part of God’s redemptive storyline.
• Mission Contexts: Cross-cultural workers leave their “Egypt” when they uproot for the gospel; reflection on Hebrews 11:27 guards them from nostalgia or intimidation.

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).
2. Looking Up—seeing the invisible God (Hebrews 11:27).
3. Looking Forward—anticipating the reward (Hebrews 11:26; Hebrews 10:36).

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 ekartérēsen
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Hebrews 11:27 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὡς ὁρῶν ἐκαρτέρησεν
NAS: of the king; for he endured, as seeing
KJV: of the king: for he endured, as seeing
INT: as seeing he perservered

Strong's Greek 2594
1 Occurrence


ἐκαρτέρησεν — 1 Occ.

2593
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