βραβεύω
brabeúō
G1018 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To act as an umpire or arbiter; to decide, adjudicate, or govern—in particular, to render a decision or determine the outcome in a contest or dispute. In extended or figurative usage, to control, direct, or prevail within a situation by exercising authoritative judgment (as in ruling inwardly or determining the course of action).
Semantic Range
to arbitrate in contests, to act as an umpire or judge, to decide or determine outcomes, to govern or prevail (figuratively), to control by authoritative decision
Root / Etymology
From the noun βραβεῖον (brabeion, 'prize awarded in a contest'), itself derived from the verb root βραβ- connected with the notion of judging or awarding in competitive contexts. The verb βραβεύω is thus formed by adding the verb ending -εύω to βραβ- to indicate the action of serving as an arbiter or judge.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, βραβεύω is rare but closely related to the sphere of competition or athletic games, where a βραβευτής (brabeutēs) was an umpire or judge responsible for conferring victory and settling disputes. In the New Testament (notably Colossians 3:15), the term is used metaphorically to describe something (such as peace) acting as an umpire or determining agent within a person or community—directing, ruling, or settling matters. The core nuance is not generic rule but decision-making or authoritative arbitration, often with a connotation of resolving competing claims. Standard English translations may render the term as 'rule' or 'let govern,' but this can obscure the underlying metaphor of an umpire or arbiter authentic to the original context. Unlike more general ruling terms such as ἄρχω, βραβεύω highlights the act of presiding over a contest or dispute and delivering a decisive verdict.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as βραβεῖον; to arbitrate, i.e. (genitive case) to govern (figuratively, prevail):--rule.
Root Family
βραβεύω (brabeuō) — to decide, to arbitrate, to act as an umpire, to govern by decision
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1018-01 |
βραβευέτω | brabeueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
rule | let him arbitrate | let it arbitrate | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1018-01 |
Colossians 3:15 | βραβευέτω | brabeueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
rule | let him arbitrate | let it arbitrate |