δουλόω
doulóō
G1402 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make someone a slave, to cause to be in a condition of enslavement or servitude. The primary meaning is to reduce to slavery, or to bring under complete subjection in a social, legal, or metaphorical sense. In extended or figurative contexts (especially in moral, rhetorical, or spiritual discourse), it denotes subjecting someone or something to a controlling influence or domination, such as making subject to passions, habits, or laws.
Semantic Range
to make (someone) a slave, to reduce to servitude, to subjugate persons or peoples, to make subject to authority, law, or power (figurative), to bring under domination or control
Root / Etymology
From the root δοῦλος (slave, bond-servant) with the verbal ending -όω, forming a causative verb meaning 'to cause to be a slave' or 'to enslave.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, δουλόω is primarily used for literal enslavement—that is, forcing someone into bonded status as a servant or slave, often in the context of war, debt, or legal penalty. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term expanded to encompass figurative uses: subjugating territories or peoples (political domination), as well as states of being under the power of sin, passions, or the Mosaic law. Paul uses the term in argumentation to contrast freedom with being 'enslaved' to sin, law, or corruptible elements (e.g., Romans 6:18, Galatians 4:3). This figurative use always retains the underlying connotation of loss of autonomy or total subjection. English translations often obscure whether the sense is literal or figurative, and renderings such as 'make a servant' do not convey the force of actual enslavement. The word is part of a cluster of terms relating to slavery, including δουλεύω (to serve as a slave), δουλεία (slavery, bondage), and emphasizes the action of making or causing slavery, rather than merely serving.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from δοῦλος; to enslave (literally or figuratively):--bring into (be under) bondage, X given, become (make) servant.
Root Family
δουλόω (doulóō) — to enslave, to subject, to bring under control
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1402-03 |
δεδούλωται | dedoulotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
he is enslaved | has been enslaved | 2 |
G1402-07 |
ἐδουλώθητε | edoulothete | V AOR PASS IND 2P PL |
you were enslaved | 1 | |
G1402-02 |
δεδουλωμένοι | dedoulomenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
held in bondage | having been enslaved | 1 |
G1402-01 |
δεδουλωμένας | dedoulomenas | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F PL |
enslaved | having been enslaved | 1 |
G1402-06 |
ἐδούλωσα | edoulosa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I made a slave | I enslaved | 1 |
G1402-05 |
δουλωθέντες | doulothentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having been enslaved | 1 | |
G1402-04 |
δουλώσουσιν | doulosousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will enslave | they will enslave | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1402-04 |
Acts 7:6 | δουλώσουσιν | doulosousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will enslave | they will enslave |
G1402-07 |
Romans 6:18 | ἐδουλώθητε | edoulothete | V AOR PASS IND 2P PL |
you were enslaved | |
G1402-05 |
Romans 6:22 | δουλωθέντες | doulothentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having been enslaved | |
G1402-03 |
1 Corinthians 7:15 | δεδούλωται | dedoulotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
is bound | has been enslaved |
G1402-06 |
1 Corinthians 9:19 | ἐδούλωσα | edoulosa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I made a slave | I enslaved |
G1402-02 |
Galatians 4:3 | δεδουλωμένοι | dedoulomenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
held in bondage | having been enslaved |
G1402-01 |
Titus 2:3 | δεδουλωμένας | dedoulomenas | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F PL |
enslaved | having been enslaved |
G1402-03 |
2 Peter 2:19 | δεδούλωται | dedoulotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
he is enslaved | has been enslaved |