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ἐάω

eáō

G1439 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To allow, permit, or let be; to refrain from hindering, granting permission or leaving someone or something undisturbed. The core sense is 'to allow or permit,' with contextual expansion to 'leave (to do something),' 'let alone,' or 'desist from interference.' Can express leaving a matter unresolved or entrusting something to another.

Semantic Range

to allow, to permit, to let be, to leave alone, to not hinder, to desist from interfering, to neglect, to abandon, to let go

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology uncertain; perhaps related to ἔα ('let be!'), but secure derivation is not established. May reflect a broader Indo-European pattern for verbs of permission or non-interference.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐάω is common for 'to permit' or 'let be,' including legal or social contexts. It is distinct from more formal terms for granting authority (such as ἐπιτρέπω 'to entrust' or ('to permit')). In the New Testament and Septuagint Greek, ἐάω is relatively rare, often used in contexts of refusing to hinder or of abandoning something to itself. English translations such as 'permit,' 'let,' 'allow,' or 'suffer' reflect its core meaning, but may miss the nuance of 'leaving alone' or 'allowing by non-interference.' The imperative form is frequent as an interjection or command. Compared to related verbs ἀφίημι (to send away, forgive) and ἐπιτρέπω (to permit, entrust), ἐάω focuses on non-prevention or tolerance, not positively authorizing or forgiving. Its function in Hellenistic and Koine literature remained largely unchanged, though frequency and nuance may differ by dialect or author.

Translation Consistency

primary "allow" 8 occurrences

'Allow' best captures the primary sense of ἐάω — to permit or let be — while remaining natural English. It aligns with the majority of attested renderings ('allowed', 'allowing') and covers related senses (leave alone, desist from interfering, permit, entrust) without sounding overly formal or ambiguous.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"permit" (2x) "permitted" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. permit or leave alone:--commit, leave, let (alone), suffer. See also ἔα.

Root Family

ἐα- (eáō) — to allow, to permit, to let be, to leave alone

Root ἐα- to allow, to permit, to let be, to leave alone

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1439-06 εἴασεν eiasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG allows he allowed he allowed 4
G1439-07 εἴων eion V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they allowed they were allowing they were allowing 2
G1439-01 ἐάσαντες easantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL they left having allowed having allowed 1
G1439-02 ἐάσει easei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will allow will permit will permit 1
G1439-03 ἐᾶτε eate V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Stop! keep allowing permit 1
G1439-04 εἴα eia V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG He allowed he was allowing he was allowing 1
G1439-05 εἴασαν eiasan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL let they permitted they permitted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1439-06 Matthew 24:43 εἴασεν eiasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG have-allowed he allowed have allowed
G1439-04 Luke 4:41 εἴα eia V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG He allowed he was allowing he was allowing
G1439-03 Luke 22:51 ἐᾶτε eate V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Stop! keep allowing permit
G1439-06 Acts 14:16 εἴασεν eiasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG suffered he allowed he allowed
G1439-06 Acts 16:7 εἴασεν eiasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG permit he allowed he allowed
G1439-07 Acts 19:30 εἴων eion V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they allowed they were allowing they were allowing
G1439-01 Acts 23:32 ἐάσαντες easantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL they left having allowed having allowed
G1439-05 Acts 27:32 εἴασαν eiasan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL let they permitted they permitted
G1439-07 Acts 27:40 εἴων eion V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they left they were allowing they were allowing
G1439-06 Acts 28:4 εἴασεν eiasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG allows he allowed he allowed
G1439-02 1 Corinthians 10:13 ἐάσει easei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will allow will permit will permit
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