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ἐρωτάω

erōtáō

G2065 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To ask, inquire, or request (of someone); to pose a question for information or clarification, or to make an earnest request. In Koine and classical usage, commonly denotes personal interaction—either seeking information or expressing a gentle or polite request. The word may also carry the sense of entreating or a courteous appeal, especially in contexts involving social hierarchy or deference.

Semantic Range

to ask a question, to inquire, to request politely, to entreat, to invite, to urge gently

Root / Etymology

From ἐρέω (to speak, say), with the intensifying -άω verb ending. Cognate with forms in earlier Greek meaning 'to speak' or 'to ask.' Not to be confused with πυνθάνομαι, which emphasizes inquiry or investigation rather than simple asking. See also related terms ἐρωτηση and ἐπερωτάω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐρωτάω often referred simply to asking a question, with emphasis on personal, direct address. It is generally distinct from αἰτέω, which stresses asking for something (especially with expectation of receiving it), and from πυνθάνομαι, which implies a search for information, often indirectly. In the New Testament and broader Koine Greek (including the Septuagint), ἐρωτάω often maintains its core sense of asking or requesting, sometimes in the form of a polite or deferential request, especially between peers or persons of equal standing. In contrast, αἰτέω frequently appears in contexts involving supplication of a superior (e.g., prayer to God). English translations may at times obscure this nuance by representing both αἰτέω and ἐρωτάω as 'ask,' but ἐρωτάω regularly implies personal interaction, polite inquiry, or a mutual relationship, especially evident in conversational or pragmatic contexts (e.g., John 14:16, where Jesus 'asks' the Father in a sense distinct from supplication). In religious contexts, ἐρωτάω is rarely used for prayer or formal petition to deity—αἰτέω is preferred for such senses. The word also appears in the sense of 'inviting' or 'beseeching' as a gentle (rather than urgent) appeal.

Translation Consistency

primary "ask" 13 occurrences

‘Ask’ is the most natural, common English verb covering the full typical range of ἐρωτάω—asking a question, making a polite request, or entreating. It matches the majority of existing renderings (asking/asked/ask) and provides a consistent, idiomatic base for all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently from ἐρέω (compare ἐρευνάω); to interrogate; by implication, to request:--ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray. Compare πυνθάνομαι.

Root Family

ἐρωτ- (dierōtáō) — to ask, to question

Root ἐρωτ- to ask, to inquire, to request
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1331 διερωτάω having thoroughly inquired
G1905 ἐπερωτάω was asking

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2065-01 ἠρώτα erota V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG asks was asking was asking 11
G2065-13 ἐρωτῶ eroto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I pray I am asking I am asking 9
G2065-05 ἠρώτησαν erotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they asked they asked they asked 8
G2065-15 ἠρώτων eroton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL asked they were asking they were asking 8
G2065-08 ἠρώτησεν erotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he asked he asked 6
G2065-10 ἐρωτήσω eroteso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will ask I will ask I will ask 5
G2065-14 ἐρωτῶμεν erotomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we request we are asking we are asking 3
G2065-03 ἐρωτᾷς erotas V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you ask you are asking you are asking 2
G2065-04 ἐρωτῆσαι erotesai V AOR ACT INF to ask to ask to ask 2
G2065-02 ἐρωτᾶν erotan V PRS ACT INF to ask to ask to ask 1

Occurrences in Scripture

63 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2065-15 Acts 1:6 ἠρώτων eroton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were asking they were asking they were asking
G2065-01 Acts 3:3 ἠρώτα erota V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG asked was asking was asking
G2065-05 Acts 10:48 ἠρώτησαν erotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they asked they asked they asked
G2065-15 Acts 16:39 ἠρώτων eroton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL asked they were asking they were asking
G2065-17 Acts 18:20 ἐρωτώντων erotonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL asking of those asking of them asking
G2065-08 Acts 23:18 ἠρώτησεν erotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he asked he asked
G2065-04 Acts 23:20 ἐρωτῆσαί erotesai V AOR ACT INF ask to ask to ask
G2065-13 Philippians 4:3 ἐρωτῶ eroto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I ask I am asking I am asking
G2065-14 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ἐρωτῶμεν erotomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we request we are asking we are asking
G2065-14 1 Thessalonians 5:12 ἐρωτῶμεν erotomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we request we are asking we are asking
G2065-14 2 Thessalonians 2:1 ἐρωτῶμεν erotomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we ask we are asking we are asking
G2065-07 1 John 5:16 ἐρωτήσῃ erotese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he pray he may ask he should ask
G2065-13 2 John 1:5 ἐρωτῶ eroto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I beseech I am asking I am asking
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