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εὐσεβής

eusebḗs

G2152 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Properly, demonstrating reverence and respect toward what is considered divine or sacred; pious, showing dutiful regard for religious practices, obligations, or deities. The term broadly describes a person who dutifully and respectfully fulfills the expectations of religious conduct—whether toward gods, rituals, or ethical norms. In Greco-Roman contexts, it primarily refers to showing due respect and proper veneration to the divine and the religious traditions associated with it. In Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian contexts, it can describe one whose conduct reflects reverence toward the God of Israel, but without specifying a particular rite or tradition.

Semantic Range

properly reverent, pious, dutiful (in religious matters), devout, godly, observant of religious obligations, showing proper respect toward the divine or sacred

Root / Etymology

From the adverb εὖ ('well') and the verb σέβομαι ('to revere, worship, venerate'). The compound thus literally means 'well-reverent' or 'properly reverent.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐσεβής designates a person who fulfills religious duties accurately and respectfully—this covers both public rites and private conduct. The concept is largely defined in contrast to ἀσέβεια ('impiety'), emphasizing a person who honors the gods and the laws tied to them. In Hellenistic Jewish writings, the term comes to denote one who is faithful to the God of Israel and observant of Torah practice, sometimes used to contrast with those considered outsiders or non-observant (ἀσεβεῖς). In the New Testament, the word appears rarely (cf. 2 Peter 2:9) and denotes a person whose lifestyle aligns with proper reverence or devotion to God, commonly translated as 'godly' or 'devout.' However, these terms in English do not always capture the ongoing sense of ritual and ethical duty that εὐσεβής implies from its Greco-Roman origins. While later Christian usage tends to spiritualize the term, its original sense is broader and anchored in faithful religious conduct and respect.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὖ and σέβομαι; well-reverent, i.e. pious:--devout, godly.

Root Family

εὐσεβής (eusebēs) — to revere, to show respect, to worship; properly reverent, pious, dutiful in sacred matters

Root σεβ- to revere, to show respect, to worship

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2152-02 εὐσεβεῖς eusebeis ADJ.S ACC M PL the godly properly reverent ones properly reverent ones 1
G2152-03 εὐσεβὴς eusebes ADJ.S NOM M SG devout a properly reverent man a properly reverent man 1
G2152-01 εὐσεβῆ eusebe ADJ.A ACC M SG devout properly reverent (masculine singular accusative) devout 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2152-03 Acts 10:2 εὐσεβὴς eusebes ADJ.S NOM M SG devout a properly reverent man a properly reverent man
G2152-01 Acts 10:7 εὐσεβῆ eusebe ADJ.A ACC M SG devout properly reverent (masculine singular accusative) devout
G2152-02 2 Peter 2:9 εὐσεβεῖς eusebeis ADJ.S ACC M PL the godly properly reverent ones properly reverent ones
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