Strong's Lexicon phulassó: To guard, to keep, to watch over, to protect, to observe Original Word: φυλάσσω Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word φύλαξ (phulax), meaning "a guard" or "watchman." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H8104 (שָׁמַר, shamar): To keep, guard, observe, give heed - H5341 (נָצַר, natsar): To guard, watch, keep Usage: The verb "phulassó" primarily conveys the idea of guarding or protecting something or someone. It implies vigilance and careful attention to prevent harm or loss. In the New Testament, it is used both in a literal sense, such as guarding a physical location or person, and in a metaphorical sense, such as keeping commandments or maintaining spiritual vigilance. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient world, the role of a guard or watchman was crucial for the safety and security of cities, homes, and individuals. Guards were responsible for watching over city gates, protecting against intruders, and ensuring the safety of those within their care. This cultural understanding of vigilance and protection is reflected in the biblical usage of "phulassó," emphasizing the importance of spiritual and moral vigilance in the life of a believer. HELPS Word-studies 5442 phylássō (akin to 5441 /phýlaks, "a military guard") – properly, preserve by "having an eye on" (J. Thayer), referring to the uninterrupted vigilance shepherds show in keeping their flocks (see Lk 2:8, used with 5438 /phylakḗ, "a military guard," i.e. exercising unbroken vigilance as a military guard). 5442 /phylássō ("keep watch over, keep secure") emphasizes the needed vigilance to keep what is entrusted. Thus 5442 (phylássō) is often used in the NT in the Greek middle voice meaning, "Personally be on guard against," stressing the constant, personal interest involved with the guarding. [Examples: Lk 12:15, "Beware of," (RV, "Keep yourselves from," cf. Ac 21:25); 2 Tim 4:15, "Be thou aware" (see Vine, Unger, White, NT, 65).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a root phulak- Definition to guard, watch NASB Translation abstain (1), guard (8), guarded (1), guarding (1), guards (1), keep (5), keeping (2), keeps (1), kept (4), kept under guard (1), maintain (1), observe (2), preserved (1), protect (1), watching (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5442: φυλάσσωφυλάσσω; future φυλάξω; 1 aorist ἐφύλαξα; middle, present φυλάσσομαι; 1 aorist ἐφυλαξάμην; present passive φυλάσσομαι; from Homer down; the Sept. times too many to count for שָׁמַר, occasionally for נָצַר (etc.): 1. Active, to guard (Latincustodio); i. e., a. to watch, to keep watch: with φυλακήν, added, Luke 2:8 (see φυλακή, a.). b. to guard or watch, have an eye upon: τινα, one, lest he escape, Acts 12:4; Acts 28:16; passive, Acts 23:35; Luke 8:29; τί, anything, lest it be carried off: τά ἱμάτια, Acts 22:20. c. to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe, i. e. lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc., equivalent to to protect: τήν αὐλήν, Luke 11:21; ἀπό τίνος, to protect one from a person or thing, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (see πονηρός, p. 531a) (Xenophon, Cyril 1, 4, 7; Psalm 140:9 d. to guard, i. e. to care for, take care not to violate; to observe: τόν νόμον, Acts 7:53; Acts 21:24; Galatians 6:13 (Leviticus 19:37, etc.; Sophocles Trach. 616; others; νόμους, Xenophon, Hell. 1, 7, 30; Plato, de rep. 6, p. 484 b.; polit., p. 292 a.); single precepts of the Mosaic law, Matthew 19:20 L T Tr WH; Mark 10:20 Lachmann; Luke 18:21 L T Tr text WH; (τά δικαιώματα τοῦ νόμου, Romans 2:26); τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, Luke 11:28; τά ῤήματα of Jesus, John 12:47 L T Tr WH; apostolic directions, Acts 16:4; 1 Timothy 5:21. 2. Middle a. to observe for oneself something to escape, i. e. to avoid, shun, flee from: by a use common in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, with an accusative of the object, τί, Acts 21:25 (A. V. keep themselves from); τινα, 2 Timothy 4:15 (A. V. be thou ware of); ἀπό τίνος, to keep oneself from a thing, Luke 12:15 (Xenophon, Cyril 2, 3, 9; (Hell. 7, 2, 10)); ἵνα μή, 2 Peter 3:17 (ὅπως μή, Xenophon, mem. 1, 2, 37; other examples in Passow, under the word, p. 2360{a}; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, C. II.)). b. by a usage foreign to Greek writings but very frequent in the Sept. (cf. Winers Grammar, 253 (238)), to guard for oneself (i. e. for one's safety's sake) so as not to violate, i. e. to keep, observe: ταῦτα πάντα (the precepts of the Mosaic law), Matthew 19:20 R G; Mark 10:20 R G T Tr WH; Luke 18:21 R G Tr marginal reading (Exodus 12:17; Leviticus 18:4; Leviticus 20:8, 22; Leviticus 26:3, and many other passages). (Compare: διαφυλάσσω. Synonym: see τηρέω, at the end.) Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid -- beward, keep (self), observe, save. Compare tereo. see GREEK phule see GREEK tereo Englishman's Concordance Matthew 19:20 V-AIA-1SGRK: Ταῦτα πάντα ἐφύλαξα τί ἔτι NAS: these things I have kept; what KJV: All these things have I kept from my INT: things All these I have kept what yet Mark 10:20 V-AIM-1S Luke 2:8 V-PPA-NMP Luke 8:29 V-PPM/P-NMS Luke 11:21 V-PSA-3S Luke 11:28 V-PPA-NMP Luke 12:15 V-PMM-2P Luke 18:21 V-AIA-1S John 12:25 V-FIA-3S John 12:47 V-ASA-3S John 17:12 V-AIA-1S Acts 7:53 V-AIA-2P Acts 12:4 V-PNA Acts 16:4 V-PNA Acts 21:24 V-PPA-NMS Acts 21:25 V-PNM Acts 22:20 V-PPA-NMS Acts 23:35 V-PNM Acts 28:16 V-PPA-DMS Romans 2:26 V-PSA-3S Galatians 6:13 V-PIA-3P 2 Thessalonians 3:3 V-FIA-3S 1 Timothy 5:21 V-ASA-2S 1 Timothy 6:20 V-AMA-2S 2 Timothy 1:12 V-ANA Strong's Greek 5442 |
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