ἰσχύω (G2480) — Greek Lexicon

ἰσχύω

ischýō

G2480 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be strong, to have power or strength (physical, mental, or moral); to be able or capable of accomplishing something. In various contexts, it conveys: being able, having the capacity or means to act, prevailing or overcoming, being effective or efficacious, or being healthy/robust. The core meaning centers on possessing or exhibiting strength, which may be literal (physical might), extended metaphorically (moral or spiritual fortitude), or operational (having the ability to produce results or prevail in a given situation).

Semantic Range

to have strength, to be able, to be capable, to prevail, to overcome, to be efficacious/effective, to have health/be healthy, to have capacity, to be of value/avail, to exert force

Root / Etymology

From the noun ἰσχύς (strength, power, force), a common Greek root related to potency or effectiveness. The verb formation (ending -έω) denotes 'to have or exhibit strength.' Cognate with other Greek terms for might or power, but specifically derived from ἰσχύς.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἰσχύω appears in classical Greek to describe physical strength or capacity for exertion but develops a broader semantic range in Hellenistic and Koine Greek. In the Septuagint, ἰσχύω often translates Hebrew roots indicating might, ability, or capacity, whether in battle, moral resolve, or effectual action (see נָכֹה, יָכַל, חָזַק). In the New Testament, its primary usages are for (1) someone's or something's ability or capacity (e.g., 'can do,' 'is able'), (2) prevailing or overcoming challenges (e.g., 'prevail,' 'have victory'), and (3) being strong in the sense of endurance or perseverance. English translations often render it as 'can,' 'be strong,' 'prevail,' or 'avail,' but such terms can obscure the nuance between diverse types of strength (physical, moral, or practical). It is distinct from δύναμαι, which stresses potential or possibility, whereas ἰσχύω highlights the actuality or exercise of present strength. In later Christian usage, ἰσχύω may also be associated with spiritual or moral vigor, but in Koine sources it retains the flexible range of 'to be strong, able, effectual, or prevail.' Earliest attestations reflect a spectrum from Homer onwards, primarily for physical or martial strength, broadening in the Hellenistic period.

Translation Consistency

primary "be able" 0 occurrences

ἰσχύω principally expresses having strength or power—to be capable or able to act, prevail, or be effective. "Be able" naturally and idiomatically covers physical, moral, and operational senses (able, capable, prevail, have power) better than narrower verbs like "prevail" or adjectival forms like "strong/able." It also adapts easily to person/tense (is able, was able, will be able) for consistent rendering across all forms.

Alternatives (28 occurrences):

"able" (22x) "strong" (4x) "strength" (1x) "effective" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἰσχύς; to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively):--be able, avail, can do(-not), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work.

Root Family

ἰσχύ- (enischýō) — to be strong, to have power, to be able

Root ἰσχύ- to be strong, to have power, to be able

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1765	ἐνισχύω	strengthening
G1840	ἐξισχύω	you may be fully able
G2729	κατισχύω	they were overpowering

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2480-01`	ἰσχύει	ischuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	avails	is strong	is able	4
`G2480-09`	ἴσχυσαν	ischusan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	could	they were strong	they were able	4
`G2480-12`	ἴσχυσεν	ischusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	could	prevailed	he was able	4
`G2480-05`	ἴσχυον	ischuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	were able	they were strong	they were able	3
`G2480-03`	ἴσχυεν	ischuen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	could	was strong	was able	2
`G2480-04`	ἰσχύω	ischuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I am able	I have strength	I am able	2
`G2480-06`	ἰσχύοντες	ischuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	healthy	being strong	being strong	2
`G2480-08`	ἰσχύσαμεν	ischusamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	were able	we were strong	we were able	2
`G2480-02`	ἰσχύειν	ischuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to pass	to have strength	to have strength	1
`G2480-07`	ἰσχύοντος	ischuontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	is able	of the one being strong	of the one being strong	1
`G2480-10`	ἴσχυσας	ischusas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	were you able	you were strong	were you able	1
`G2480-11`	ἰσχύσατε	ischusate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	were you able	you were strong	you were able	1
`G2480-13`	ἰσχύσουσιν	ischusousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	be able	they will be strong	they will be able	1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2480-01`	Matthew 5:13	ἰσχύει	ischuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	is_it_good	is strong	is able
`G2480-02`	Matthew 8:28	ἰσχύειν	ischuein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to pass	to have strength	to have strength
`G2480-06`	Matthew 9:12	ἰσχύοντες	ischuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	who are well	being strong	being strong
`G2480-11`	Matthew 26:40	ἰσχύσατε	ischusate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	were you able	you were strong	you were able
`G2480-06`	Mark 2:17	ἰσχύοντες	ischuontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	healthy	being strong	being strong
`G2480-03`	Mark 5:4	ἴσχυεν	ischuen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	could	was strong	was able
`G2480-09`	Mark 9:18	ἴσχυσαν	ischusan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they could	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-10`	Mark 14:37	ἴσχυσας	ischusas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	were you able	you were strong	were you able
`G2480-12`	Luke 6:48	ἴσχυσεν	ischusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	could	prevailed	he was able
`G2480-12`	Luke 8:43	ἴσχυσεν	ischusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	not be healed	prevailed	was able
`G2480-13`	Luke 13:24	ἰσχύσουσιν	ischusousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	be able	they will be strong	they will be able
`G2480-09`	Luke 14:6	ἴσχυσαν	ischusan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	could	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-07`	Luke 14:29	ἰσχύοντος	ischuontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	is able	of the one being strong	of the one being strong
`G2480-12`	Luke 14:30	ἴσχυσεν	ischusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	was able	prevailed	was able
`G2480-04`	Luke 16:3	ἰσχύω	ischuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I am able	I have strength	I am able
`G2480-09`	Luke 20:26	ἴσχυσαν	ischusan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	were able	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-05`	John 21:6	ἴσχυον	ischuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they were able	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-05`	Acts 6:10	ἴσχυον	ischuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	were able	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-08`	Acts 15:10	ἰσχύσαμεν	ischusamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	were able	we were strong	we were able
`G2480-12`	Acts 19:16	ἴσχυσεν	ischusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	prevailed	prevailed	he was able
`G2480-03`	Acts 19:20	ἴσχυεν	ischuen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	prevailed	was strong	was strong
`G2480-05`	Acts 25:7	ἴσχυον	ischuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	were able	they were strong	they were able
`G2480-08`	Acts 27:16	ἰσχύσαμεν	ischusamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we were able	we were strong	we were able
`G2480-01`	Galatians 5:6	ἰσχύει	ischuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	avails	is strong	is effective
`G2480-04`	Philippians 4:13	ἰσχύω	ischuo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I can do	I have strength	I am able
`G2480-01`	Hebrews 9:17	ἰσχύει	ischuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	in force	is strong	is able
`G2480-01`	James 5:16	ἰσχύει	ischuei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	availeth	is strong	is able
`G2480-09`	Revelation 12:8	ἴσχυσαν	ischusan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they-were-strong-enough	they were strong	they were able

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