3423. mnésteuó

Lexicon

mnésteuó: To betroth, to engage

Original Word: μνηστεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mnésteuó
Pronunciation: mnace-tyoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (mnace-tyoo'-o)
Definition: To betroth, to engage
Meaning: I ask in marriage; pass: I am betrothed.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

espouse.

From a derivative of mnaomai; to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. Betroth -- espouse.

see GREEK mnaomai

HELPS Word-studies

3423 mnēsteúō – originally, "to woo and win; espouse, then to promise in marriage, betroth" (Abbott-Smith); to espouse; betroth.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from mnaomai (in the sense of to court a bride)
Definition
to espouse, betroth
NASB Translation
betrothed (1), engaged (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3423: μνηστεύω

μνηστεύω: passive, perfect participle μεμνηστευμενος (R G) and ἐμνηστευμενος (L T Tr WH) (cf. Winers Grammar, § 12, 10; Veitch, under the word; Tdf. Proleg., p. 121); 1 aorist participle μνηστευθεις; (μνηστός betrothed, espoused); from Homer down; the Sept. for אֵרֵשׂ; τινα (γυναῖκα), to woo her and ask her in marriage; passive to be promised in marriage, be betrothed: τίνι, Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27; Luke 2:5.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root μνηστήρ (mnēstēr), meaning "suitor" or "betrothed."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of betrothal in the Hebrew Bible is often associated with the Hebrew word אָרַשׂ (aras), Strong's Hebrew 781, which similarly denotes the act of betrothing or engaging for marriage. This reflects the continuity of the betrothal tradition from the Old Testament to the New Testament period.

Usage: The term μνηστεύω is used in the New Testament to describe the formal engagement or betrothal process, which was a legally binding agreement in Jewish culture, preceding marriage.

Context: The Greek verb μνηστεύω appears in the New Testament in contexts related to the Jewish customs of betrothal. This process was more binding than modern-day engagements and required a formal divorce to break. Betrothal was a period during which the couple was legally considered husband and wife, though they did not yet live together or consummate the marriage.

In the New Testament, μνηστεύω is notably used in the context of Mary and Joseph's relationship. In Matthew 1:18, it is stated, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit." This highlights the cultural and legal significance of betrothal, as Joseph is described as Mary's husband even before the marriage was consummated.

Another instance is found in Luke 1:27, where the angel Gabriel is sent "to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary." This emphasizes the importance of betrothal in the narrative of Jesus' birth, underscoring the fulfillment of prophecy and the divine nature of Jesus' conception.

The betrothal period served as a time of preparation and commitment, reflecting the seriousness with which marriage was regarded in Jewish society. It was a covenantal relationship that anticipated the full union of marriage.

Forms and Transliterations

εμνηστευμενη ἐμνηστευμένῃ εμνηστευμενην ἐμνηστευμένην μεμνηστευμένη μεμνηστευμένην μεμνήστευται Μνηστευθεισης Μνηστευθείσης μνηστεύσομαί emnesteumene emnēsteumenē emnesteuménei emnēsteuménēi emnesteumenen emnesteuménen emnēsteumenēn emnēsteuménēn Mnesteutheises Mnesteutheíses Mnēsteutheisēs Mnēsteutheísēs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:18 V-APP-GFS
GRK: οὕτως ἦν Μνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς
NAS: Mary had been betrothed to Joseph,
KJV: Mary was espoused to Joseph,
INT: thus came about having been betrothed the mother

Luke 1:27 V-RPM/P-AFS
GRK: πρὸς παρθένον ἐμνηστευμένην ἀνδρὶ ᾧ
NAS: to a virgin engaged to a man whose
KJV: To a virgin espoused to a man whose
INT: to a virgin betrothed to a man whose

Luke 2:5 V-RPM/P-DFS
GRK: Μαριὰμ τῇ ἐμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ οὔσῃ
NAS: with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
KJV: Mary his espoused wife, being
INT: Mary who was betrothed to him she being

Strong's Greek 3423
3 Occurrences

ἐμνηστευμένῃ — 1 Occ.
ἐμνηστευμένην — 1 Occ.
Μνηστευθείσης — 1 Occ.