4231. pragmateuomai

Lexicon

pragmateuomai: To do business, to trade, to occupy

Original Word: πραγματεύομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pragmateuomai
Pronunciation: prag-mat-yoo'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (prag-mat-yoo'-om-ahee)
Definition: To do business, to trade, to occupy
Meaning: I transact business, trade.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

trade, do business

From pragma; to busy oneself with, i.e. To trade -- occupy.

see GREEK pragma

HELPS Word-studies

4231 pragmateúomai (from 4229 /prágma, "a necessary matter, what is pragmatic") – properly, the ancient mercantile term for trading (exchanging) to make gain, i.e. to do business (barter etc.); trading, exchanging (leveraging) one thing for another to make a legitimate gain; (figuratively) "to bear much fruit" (cf. Jn 15:2f), i.e. the opposite of being fruitless because refusing to make trades by "playing it safe."

4231 (pragmateuomai) means "turning something over," making a good trade – i.e. "to good account . . . to administrate, manage profitably the capital at your disposal" (C. Spicq, 3, 151).

[See also 4230 /pragmateía ("trades") – i.e. exchanges negotiated and transacted as business (personal or official).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pragma
Definition
to busy oneself
NASB Translation
do business (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4231: πραγματεύομαι

πραγματεύομαι: 1 aorist middle imperative 2 person plural πραγματεύσασθε; (πρᾶγμα); in Greek prose writings from Herodotus down; to be occupied in anything; to carry on a business; specifically, to carry on the business of a banker or trader (Plutarch, Sull. 17; Cat. min. 59): Luke 19:13 (here WH text reads the infinitive (see their Introductory § 404); R. V. trade. Compare: διαπραγματεύομαι.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word πρᾶγμα (pragma), meaning "a deed" or "a matter."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πραγματεύομαι, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to work and stewardship, such as עָשָׂה (asah, Strong's 6213), meaning "to do" or "to make," and עָבַד (avad, Strong's 5647), meaning "to work" or "to serve." These terms reflect the biblical theme of active engagement and responsibility in one's duties.

Usage: The verb πραγματεύομαι is used in the context of engaging in business or trade. It implies an active involvement in managing or conducting affairs, often with the goal of gaining profit or achieving a particular outcome.

Context: The Greek verb πραγματεύομαι appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize active engagement and responsibility. It is notably used in the Parable of the Ten Minas in Luke 19:13, where a nobleman instructs his servants to "engage in business" with the resources he has entrusted to them until he returns. This parable illustrates the expectation of faithful stewardship and productive use of what has been given by God. The term conveys a sense of diligence and accountability, reflecting the broader biblical principle that believers are to be industrious and responsible with their God-given talents and opportunities.

In the cultural and historical context of the New Testament, πραγματεύομαι would have been understood as a common activity in the Greco-Roman world, where trade and commerce were integral to daily life. The use of this term in Scripture underscores the importance of being proactive and purposeful in one's endeavors, whether in spiritual or material matters.

Forms and Transliterations

επραγματεύσατο πραγματευσασθαι πραγματεύσασθαι πραγματεύσασθε pragmateusasthe pragmateúsasthe

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 19:13 V-ANM
GRK: πρὸς αὐτοὺς πραγματεύσασθε ἐν ᾧ
NAS: and said to them, 'Do business [with this] until
KJV: unto them, Occupy till I come.
INT: to them Trade until that

Strong's Greek 4231
1 Occurrence

πραγματεύσασθε — 1 Occ.