2753. keleuó

Lexicon

keleuó: To command, to order, to direct

Original Word: κελεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: keleuó
Pronunciation: keh-LOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (kel-yoo'-o)
Definition: To command, to order, to direct
Meaning: I command, order, direct, bid.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

order, command

From a primary kello (to urge on); "hail"; to incite by word, i.e. Order -- bid, (at, give) command(-ment).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kelomai (to urge on)
Definition
to command
NASB Translation
command (2), commanded (4), gave orders (2), give orders (1), giving orders (1), order (2), ordered (12), ordering (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2753: κελεύω

κελεύω; imperfect ἐκέλευον; 1 aorist ἐκέλευσα; to command, order: τινα, followed by an aorist infinitive, Matthew 14:19, 28; Acts 4:15; by the accusative with aorist infinitive, Matthew 18:25; Matthew 27:58 (R G L),64; Luke 18:40; Acts 5:34; Acts 8:38; Acts 22:30; Acts 23:10; Acts 25:6, 17; the accusative is lacking because evident from the context, Matthew 8:18; Matthew 14:9; (xxvii. 58 T WH (Tr in brackets)); Acts 12:19; Acts 21:33; followed by the accusative with present infinitive, Acts 21:34; Acts 22:24; Acts 23:3, 35; Acts 24:8 R G; ; the accusative is lacking because easily discernible from the context, Acts 16:22 (cf. Buttmann, 201 (174); Winers Grammar, § 40, 3 d.); by a use not infrequent in Homer, but somewhat rare in prose writing, with the dative of a person (Plato, rep. 3, p. 396 a.; Thucydides 1, 44; Diodorus 19, 17; Josephus, Antiquities 20, 6, 2; Tobit 8:18; cf. Poppo on Xenophon, Cyril 1, 3, 9 variant), followed by an infinitive, Matthew 15:35 R G; cf. Buttmann, 275 (236). κελευσαιτος τίνος, at one's command, Acts 25:23. (On the construction of κελεύω, especially with the passive infinitive and the accusative, see Buttmann, § 141, 5, cf. p. 237 (204) note; also Winer's Grammar, 336 (315), 332 (311).) [SYNONYMS: κελεύειν, παραγγέλλειν, ἐντέλλεσθαι, τάσσειν (and its comparison): κελεύειν to command, designates verbal orders, emanating (usually) from a superior; παραγγέλλω to charge, etc., is used especially of the order of a military commander which is passed along the line by his subordinates (Xenophon, Cyril 2, 4, 2); ἐντέλλεσθαι, to enjoin, is employed especially of those whose office or position invests them with claims, and points rather to the contents of the command, cf. our instructions; τάσσω literally, assign a post to, with a suggestion of duties as connected therewith; often used of a military appointment (cf. τάξις); its compounds ἐπιτάσσειν and προστάσσειν differ from ἐντέλλεσθαι in denoting fixed and abiding obligations rather than specific or occasional instructions, duties arising from the office rather than emanating from the personal will of a superior. Schmidt, chapter 8.]

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κελεύω, similar concepts of command and authority can be found in Hebrew verbs such as צָוָה (tsavah • Strong's Hebrew 6680), which means "to command, to charge, to give orders." This Hebrew verb is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God's commands to His people, reflecting a similar theme of authority and obedience.

Usage: The verb κελεύω is used in the New Testament to denote the act of giving a command or directive. It often implies authority and the expectation of obedience from the one receiving the command.

Context: The Greek verb κελεύω appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating its use in contexts where authority and command are central. It is often employed in narratives where a figure of authority issues a directive that is expected to be followed. This verb underscores the hierarchical relationships present in the biblical text, whether between human authorities or between God and His people.

In the Berean Standard Bible, κελεύω is translated as "command" or "order." For example, in Acts 8:38, Philip commands the chariot to stop: "And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him." Here, the use of κελεύω highlights Philip's authority in the situation and the immediate compliance with his directive.

Another instance is found in Acts 16:22, where the magistrates command that Paul and Silas be beaten: "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods." This usage reflects the legal and authoritative power of the magistrates in the Roman context.

The verb is also used in contexts involving divine command, as seen in Acts 10:48, where Peter commands the new believers to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ: "So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days." This reflects the apostolic authority given by Christ to His disciples.

The use of κελεύω in the New Testament emphasizes the importance of obedience to rightful authority, whether human or divine, and the orderly conduct expected within the early Christian communities.

Forms and Transliterations

εκελευον εκέλευον ἐκέλευον εκελευσα εκέλευσα ἐκέλευσα εκέλευσε εκέλευσέ εκελευσεν εκέλευσεν ἐκέλευσεν ἐκέλευσέν κελευεις κελεύεις κελευσαντες κελεύσαντες κελευσαντος κελεύσαντος κελευσας κελεύσας κελευσον κέλευσον κέλευσόν ekeleuon ekéleuon ekeleusa ekéleusa ekeleusen ekéleusen ekéleusén keleueis keleúeis keleusantes keleúsantes keleusantos keleúsantos keleusas keleúsas keleuson kéleuson kéleusón

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 8:18 V-AIA-3S
GRK: περὶ αὐτὸν ἐκέλευσεν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς
NAS: around Him, He gave orders to depart
KJV: him, he gave commandment to depart
INT: around him he commanded to depart to

Matthew 14:9 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τοὺς συνανακειμένους ἐκέλευσεν δοθῆναι
NAS: the king commanded [it] to be given
KJV: them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given
INT: those who reclined with [him at table] he commanded [it] to be given

Matthew 14:19 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ κελεύσας τοὺς ὄχλους
NAS: Ordering the people to sit down
KJV: And he commanded the multitude
INT: And having commanded the crowds

Matthew 14:28 V-AMA-2S
GRK: σὺ εἶ κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν
NAS: if it is You, command me to come
KJV: it be thou, bid me come
INT: you [it] be you bid me to come

Matthew 18:25 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ
NAS: his lord commanded him to be sold,
KJV: his lord commanded him to be sold,
INT: he [means] to pay commanded him the

Matthew 27:58 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ Πιλᾶτος ἐκέλευσεν ἀποδοθῆναι
NAS: Pilate ordered it to be given
KJV: Pilate commanded the body
INT: Pilate commanded it to be given up

Matthew 27:64 V-AMA-2S
GRK: κέλευσον οὖν ἀσφαλισθῆναι
NAS: Therefore, give orders for the grave
KJV: Command therefore that the sepulchre
INT: Command therefore to be secured

Luke 18:40 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι
NAS: stopped and commanded that he be brought
KJV: stood, and commanded him
INT: Jesus commanded him to be brought

Acts 4:15 V-APA-NMP
GRK: κελεύσαντες δὲ αὐτοὺς
NAS: But when they had ordered them to leave
KJV: But when they had commanded them
INT: Having commanded however them

Acts 5:34 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τῷ λαῷ ἐκέλευσεν ἔξω βραχὺ
NAS: up in the Council and gave orders to put
KJV: the people, and commanded to put
INT: the people commanded out for a short while

Acts 8:38 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἐκέλευσεν στῆναι τὸ
NAS: And he ordered the chariot to stop;
KJV: And he commanded the chariot
INT: And he commanded to stop the

Acts 12:19 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τοὺς φύλακας ἐκέλευσεν ἀπαχθῆναι καὶ
NAS: the guards and ordered that they be led away
KJV: the keepers, and commanded that [they] should be put to death.
INT: the guards he commanded [them] to be led away [to death] And

Acts 16:22 V-IIA-3P
GRK: τὰ ἱμάτια ἐκέλευον ῥαβδίζειν
NAS: off them and proceeded to order [them] to be beaten with rods.
KJV: clothes, and commanded to beat
INT: the garments commanded to beat [them] with rods

Acts 21:33 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκέλευσεν δεθῆναι ἁλύσεσι
NAS: up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound
KJV: and commanded [him] to be bound with
INT: of him and commanded [him] to be bound with chains

Acts 21:34 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τὸν θόρυβον ἐκέλευσεν ἄγεσθαι αὐτὸν
NAS: of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought
KJV: the tumult, he commanded him
INT: the riot he commanded to be brought him

Acts 22:24 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐκέλευσεν ὁ χιλίαρχος
NAS: the commander ordered him to be brought
KJV: The chief captain commanded him
INT: commanded the chief captain

Acts 22:30 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτόν καὶ ἐκέλευσεν συνελθεῖν τοὺς
NAS: he released him and ordered the chief priests
KJV: and commanded the chief priests
INT: him and commanded to come the

Acts 23:3 V-PIA-2S
GRK: καὶ παρανομῶν κελεύεις με τύπτεσθαι
NAS: and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?
KJV: and commandest me
INT: and contrary to law command me to be struck

Acts 23:10 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὑπ' αὐτῶν ἐκέλευσεν τὸ στράτευμα
NAS: would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops
KJV: them, commanded the soldiers
INT: by them commanded the troop

Acts 23:35 V-APA-NMS
GRK: σου παραγένωνται κελεύσας ἐν τῷ
NAS: also, giving orders for him to be kept
KJV: come. And he commanded him to be kept
INT: of you might have arrived having commanded in the

Acts 24:8 V-APA-NMS
GRK: κελεύσας τούς κατηγόρους
KJV: Commanding his
INT: Commanding the accusers

Acts 25:6 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ βήματος ἐκέλευσεν τὸν Παῦλον
NAS: on the tribunal and ordered Paul
KJV: the judgment seat commanded Paul
INT: the judgment seat he commanded Paul

Acts 25:17 V-AIA-1S
GRK: τοῦ βήματος ἐκέλευσα ἀχθῆναι τὸν
NAS: on the tribunal and ordered the man
KJV: the judgment seat, and commanded the man
INT: the judgment seat I commanded to be brought the

Acts 25:21 V-AIA-1S
GRK: Σεβαστοῦ διάγνωσιν ἐκέλευσα τηρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν
NAS: decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody
KJV: of Augustus, I commanded him
INT: emporer decision I commanded to be kept him

Acts 25:23 V-APA-GMS
GRK: πόλεως καὶ κελεύσαντος τοῦ Φήστου
NAS: of the city, at the command of Festus,
KJV: Festus' commandment Paul
INT: city and having commanded Festus

Strong's Greek 2753
26 Occurrences

ἐκέλευον — 1 Occ.
ἐκέλευσα — 2 Occ.
ἐκέλευσεν — 15 Occ.
κελεύεις — 1 Occ.
κελεύσαντες — 1 Occ.
κελεύσαντος — 1 Occ.
κελεύσας — 3 Occ.
κέλευσόν — 2 Occ.